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Acupuncture Therapy on Dysphagia in Parkinson's Disease

Acupuncture Therapy on Dysphagia in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Study

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06199323
Enrollment
112
Registered
2024-01-10
Start date
2019-06-01
Completion date
2021-05-30
Last updated
2024-03-25

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Parkinson Disease

Brief summary

From June 2019 to May 2021, we conducted a randomized controlled study, including dysphagic patients with Parkinson's diseases who were admitted to the department of rehabilitation medicine in 3 hospitals in China. The participants were divided randomly into the experimental group and the control group, with 56 in each one. Both two groups were given routine treatment and swallowing rehabilitation training. Moreover, the experimental group was given acupuncture therapy.

Detailed description

From June 2019 to May 2021, we conducted a randomized controlled study, including dysphagic patients with Parkinson's diseases who were admitted to the department of rehabilitation medicine in 3 hospitals in China. The participants were divided randomly into the experimental group and the control group, with 56 in each one. Both two groups were given routine treatment and swallowing rehabilitation training. Moreover, the experimental group was given acupuncture therapy. The study lasted 42 days (6 weeks) for each participant. Specifically, our main focus is on the study of Lianquan, Shanglianquan (depression between the hyoid bone and the lower border of the mandible), Yifeng, Fengchi, Wangu, Fengfu, Yamen, Neidaying (depression of 1 inch below the anterior margin of the mandible), Jinjin, Yuye, posterior pharyngeal wall (both sides of the uvula).

Interventions

1. Balance function training: Patients were instructed to achieve weight shift between the left and right sides of the balance bar in a standing position. 2. Walking function training: based on hip, knee, and ankle control training, patients were instructed to take steps training. 3. Core muscle strength training: Patients were instructed to maintain 3 minutes of training in Bridge-style movement. 4. Functional training of daily living: including training on dressing and undressing, independent eating, painting, and writing. Routine rehabilitation training was performed 30-45 minutes/time, 1-2 times/day, 5-7 days/week.

1. Swallowing-related organ training: including movement training of lip, mandibular muscle, cheek, tongue muscle, soft palate, as well as exercises of vocal cord closure, laryngeal lifting and pharyngeal muscle training. 5-15 minutes/time, 1-2 times/day, 5-7 days/week. 2. Sensory stimulation training: With the self-made popsicle, medical staff slowly and gently stimulated the patient's cheek, palatoquadrate, soft palate, posterior pharyngeal wall, tongue surface and sublingual area repeatedly. 5-25 minutes/time, 1-3 times/day, 3-7 days/week. 3. Direct training: When the patient's swallowing function improves to a certain extent of which the safety of oral intake can be basically ensured, oral feeding training (direct training) can be attempted gradually. 4. Mendelsohn maneuver: During the Mendelsohn maneuver, the patient consciously prolonged the duration of the muscle contraction in the throat during swallowing.15-30 minutes/time, once per day, 5 days/week.

PROCEDUREAcupuncture therapy

The whole acupuncture therapy was performed once daily for 5 days per week, including acupuncture needle and tongue needle. Acupuncture needle: Main acupoints: Lianquan, Shanglianquan (depression between the hyoid bone and the lower border of the mandible), Yifeng; Auxiliary acupoints: Fengchi, Wangu, Fengfu, Yamen, Neidaying (depression of 1 inch below the anterior margin of the mandible). Tongue needle (pricking): Acupoints: Jinjin, Yuye, posterior pharyngeal wall (both sides of the uvula).

Sponsors

Zeng Changhao
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

All researchers were required to maintain isolation from participants beyond necessary contact and strictly keep confidentiality of research content. We used blind labels to identify participants' intervention or treatment allocation. These labels remained confidential during the research process and were accessible only to researchers and specific staff. In addition, all data collection and assessment were conducted by professionals who were not involved in the intervention and were not aware of the study design to ensure objectivity and independence. All medical staff responsible for the intervention received detailed training before the start of the study to ensure their understanding and proper implementation.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age \>18 years. * Meeting the diagnostic criteria for Parkinson's disease developed by the Neurology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association in 2006. * Diagnosed with dysphagia confirmed by the video fluoroscopic swallowing study. * Water swallow test\> Level 3. * Stable vital signs, conscious, able to cooperate with assessment and treatment.

Exclusion criteria

* Dysphagia possibly caused by other reasons, such as cerebrovascular disease, trauma, neuromuscular diseases, malignant diseases of the pharynx and larynx, and digestive tract diseases. * History of mental diseases or use of antipsychotics. * Complicated with cognitive impairment or consciousness dysfunction. * Simultaneously suffering from severe liver, kidney failure, tumors, or hematological diseases.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Penetration-Aspiration Scale-liquidday 1 and day 42The Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) was conducted under video fluoroscopic swallowing study. PAS is a standardized tool used to assess the safety of swallowing. The scale was developed to evaluate the entry of material into the airway (penetration) and the subsequent passage of material below the vocal folds (aspiration) during swallowing. The PAS scale ranges from 1 to 8, with each level representing different degrees of penetration or aspiration. In this assessment, we used 60% barium sulfate suspension A higher level of PAS indicated a severer dysphagia.
Penetration-Aspiration Scale-pasteday 1 and day 42The Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) was conducted under video fluoroscopic swallowing study. PAS is a standardized tool used to assess the safety of swallowing. The scale was developed to evaluate the entry of material into the airway (penetration) and the subsequent passage of material below the vocal folds (aspiration) during swallowing. The PAS scale ranges from 1 to 8, with each level representing different degrees of penetration or aspiration. In this assessment, we used 180% barium sulfate suspension A higher level of PAS indicated a severer dysphagia.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Swallowing time-swallowing reaction time-liquidday 1 and day 42The assessment was conducted under video fluoroscopic swallowing study. A 60% barium sulfate suspension was mixed with different doses of thickening agents. The liquid (60% barium sulfate suspension) was used. A shorter time indicated better swallowing function.
Swallowing time-pharyngeal transit time -liquidday 1 and day 42The assessment was conducted under video fluoroscopic swallowing study. A 60% barium sulfate suspension was mixed with different doses of thickening agents. The liquid (60% barium sulfate suspension) was used. A shorter time indicated better swallowing function.
Swallowing time-laryngeal closure duration-liquidday 1 and day 42The assessment was conducted under video fluoroscopic swallowing study. A 60% barium sulfate suspension was mixed with different doses of thickening agents. The liquid (60% barium sulfate suspension) was used. A shorter time indicated better swallowing function.
Swallowing time-swallowing reaction time-pasteday 1 and day 42The assessment was conducted under video fluoroscopic swallowing study. A 60% barium sulfate suspension was mixed with different doses of thickening agents. The paste (180% barium sulfate suspension) was used. A shorter time indicated better swallowing function.
Swallowing time-pharyngeal transit time-pasteday 1 and day 42The assessment was conducted under video fluoroscopic swallowing study. A 60% barium sulfate suspension was mixed with different doses of thickening agents. The paste (180% barium sulfate suspension) was used. A shorter time indicated better swallowing function.
Swallowing time-The oral transit time-liquidday 1 and day 42The assessment was conducted under video fluoroscopic swallowing study. A 60% barium sulfate suspension was mixed with different doses of thickening agents. The liquid (60% barium sulfate suspension) was used. A shorter time indicated better swallowing function.
Nutritional status-body mass indexday 1 and day 42Patients' body mass index was assessed with the physical check, with the combination of height and body weight. as kg/m\^2, reference range: 18.5 kg/m2≤BMI\<24 kg/m2. Values below the reference range for these indicators indicated an unsatisfying nutritional status (risk of malnutrition).
Nutritional status-Serum Albuminday 1 and day 42Patients' Serum Albumin was assessed from the routine blood test, reference range: 35\ 50 g/L.Values below the reference range for these indicators indicated an unsatisfying nutritional status (risk of malnutrition).
Nutritional status-Prealbuminday 1 and day 42Patients' Prealbumin was assessed from the routine blood test, reference range: 200\ 400 mg/L.Values below the reference range for these indicators indicated an unsatisfying nutritional status (risk of malnutrition).
Nutritional status-Hemoglobinday 1 and day 42Patients' Hemoglobin was assessed from the routine blood test, reference range: males: 120\ 160 g/L, females: 110\ 150 g/L. Values below the reference range for these indicators indicated an unsatisfying nutritional status (risk of malnutrition).
Standardized Swallowing Assessmentday 1 and day 42The Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA) consists of three main parts: clinical examination, 5ml water swallow, and daily water intake assessment. The highest score is 46 points, the lowest is 18 points, with lower scores indicating better swallowing function.
Swallowing time-laryngeal closure duration-pasteday 1 and day 42The assessment was conducted under video fluoroscopic swallowing study. A 60% barium sulfate suspension was mixed with different doses of thickening agents. The paste (180% barium sulfate suspension) was used. A shorter time indicated better swallowing function.
Swallowing time-The oral transit time-pasteday 1 and day 42The assessment was conducted under video fluoroscopic swallowing study. A 60% barium sulfate suspension was mixed with different doses of thickening agents. The paste (180% barium sulfate suspension) was used. A shorter time indicated better swallowing function.

Countries

Taiwan

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 6, 2026