| To observe the effect of external diaphragm pacemaker (EDP) therapy combined with
routine swallowing training on swallowing function in patients with primary Parkinson’s disease (PD). Meth⁃
ods: A total of 42 PD patients with dysphagia were randomly divided into the observation group and control
group. Both groups received conventional treatment for PD and standard swallowing training, and the observation group was additionally treated with an EDP. The videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS), Watian water
drinking test, Rosenbek penetration-aspiration scale (PAS), modified barium swallow study (MBSS), citric acid
cough reflex test (CRT), Borg breathlessness scale, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale were performed
before and 4-week after treatment to evaluate the improvement in swallowing function, cough reflex, and respiratory fatigue of two groups. Results: Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the water drinking test, PAS, MBSS, Borg, and RPE scores and in the CRT pass rate between the two groups (P>0.05).
Compared with before treatment within the same group, the water drinking test, PAS, MBSS, Borg, and RPE
scores after 4 weeks of treatment were all decreased (all P<0.05), with the observation group showing a greater
decrease than the control group (all P<0.05). Within the same group, the CRT pass rate after treatment was increased compared to before treatment (P<0.05), and the observation group showed a greater increase (P<0.05).
Conclusion: In primary PD patients, EDP therapy combined with standard swallowing training yields better results than swallowing training alone. |