Effect of bimodal signal biofeedback on the supraglottic swallowing maneuver in patients with post-stroke dysphagia: A randomised controlled trial
In brief
Biofeedback improved oral intake scores in 30 stroke patients with dysphagia
In a small randomized trial, patients who received swallowing training with accelerometer and nasal airflow feedback had higher oral intake scores than those receiving conventional training, both after two weeks and one month later. Severe penetration or aspiration scores were also less common after treatment, but the single-center study's small sample and short follow-up leave durability uncertain.
- Journal
- Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation (Q1)
- Published
- 22 October 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Lian Wang, Xiaomei Wei, Zhenhai Wei, Yongchao Wu, Zulin Dou
- PMID
- 42913768
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.apmr.2026.09.023
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Rehabilitation (top studies of the week, 25 October 2026): RCT, biofeedback for post‑stroke dysphagia
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of bimodal signal biofeedback combining an accelerometer and a nasal airflow sensor on the supraglottic swallowing maneuver in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. DESIGN: Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial. SETTING: Single rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with post-stroke dysphagia. INTERVENTION: Patients with post-stroke dysphagia were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the control group or the experimental group. The control group received conventional swallowing rehabilitation therapy, including supraglottic swallowing training. The experimental group received the same conventional rehabilitation and supraglottic swallowing training, but was additionally provided with bimodal biofeedback during the maneuver sessions. The training intensity was 30 min/day, 6 days/week, for two consecutive weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures included the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS), and temporal and kinematic parameters derived from videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS). All VFSS parameters were defined and measured according to established protocols. Assessments were conducted at baseline, immediately after the 2-week intervention, and at a one-month follow-up after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients were enrolled in the study (15 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group), with no attrition in either group. At both the post-treatment and one-month follow-up assessments, FOIS scores in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.001). Additionally, the percentage of PAS scores ≥ 6 was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group after the intervention (p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that supraglottic swallowing maneuver assisted with bimodal biofeedback can lead to significant improvements in swallowing function for patients with post-stroke dysphagia.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.