The present study aimed to assess the clinical effects of ultrashort wave therapy combined with acupuncture and rehabilitation training on patients with dysphagia after stroke.

A total of 126 patients with stroke with dysphagia were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (control group: 63 patients) and a comprehensive rehabilitation training group (treatment group: 63 patients). The control group received rehabilitation training and acupuncture, whereas the treatment group received ultrashort wave therapy in addition to rehabilitation training and acupuncture (comprehensive rehabilitation training). The curative effect was evaluated using water-drinking test scores and swallowing quality of life scale (SWAL-QOL) scores before and after intervention. Additionally, the incidence of aspiration pneumonia was assessed in the two groups.

The water-drinking test scores in both groups were significantly better after 4 weeks of intervention than before intervention (P < 0.01); however, the improvement degree was significantly greater in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.01). The SWAL-QOL scores in both groups were significantly higher after intervention than before intervention (P < 0.05); however, the improvement degree was significantly greater in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the incidence of aspiration pneumonia was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

Comprehensive rehabilitation training can greatly improve dysphagia after stroke and can effectively reduce the incidence of aspiration pneumonia.