ORIGINAL ARTICLE   Free access

European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 2022 August;58(4):558-64

DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.22.07337-3

Copyright © 2022 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Effects of vitamin C stimulation on rehabilitation of dysphagia after stroke: a randomized trial

Jiongmei WANG ✉, E CHANG, Yujuan JIANG

Department of Rehabilitation, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, China

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a clinical syndrome of localized or global brain dysfunction caused by cerebrovascular disease.
AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of vitamin C acid stimulation on the rehabilitation process, Nourishment State Index and immune function indicators of stroke patients with dysphagia.
DESIGN: This is a prospective cohort study.
SETTING: This study was conducted at our hospital.
POPULATION: We analyzed stroke patients with dysphagia.
METHODS: A total of 120 stroke patients with dysphagia were randomly divided into a routine group and a test group, with 60 cases in each group. Routine swallowing training was performed in the routine group, and the test group was stimulated with vitamin C acid. The water swallow test (WST) and video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) were used to compare the rehabilitation of dysphagia in the two groups. Nourishment State Index was evaluated by BMI, serum albumin, total serum protein and hemoglobin. Immune Function Index was evaluated by IgA, IgM and IgG.
RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the WST level of patients treated with vitamin C acid stimulation intervention were significantly reduced, and the VFSS score were significantly increased. Serum levels of hemoglobin, albumin, total protein, IgA, IgM and IgG in the vitamin C acid stimulation group were remarkably increased than those in the control group.
CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin C acid stimulation exhibits a good application effect in patients with dysphagia after stroke. Moreover, vitamin C acid stimulation can further improve the nutritional status and immune function after stroke and promote postoperative recovery of patients. Therefore, we believe that vitamin C stimulation therapy can be widely used in stroke rehabilitation management.
CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Vitamin C acid stimulation significantly improves rehabilitation of stroke patients with dysphagia and ameliorates the nutritional status and immune function of patients.

KEY WORDS: Stroke; Rehabilitation; Cerebrovascular disorders