Effect of High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Motor Imagery Training on Patients with Post-Stroke Dysphagia

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with motor imagery training on swallowing function of patients with post-stroke dysphagia (PSD).MethodsA total of 60 patients with PSD who were hospitalized in the department of rehabilitation medicine of the 900th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army from September 2020 to November 2021 were randomly divided into control group, rTMS group and combination group, with 20 cases in each group. The control group received routine swallowing training, including direct training (feeding environment, swallowing position, food selection, etc.) and indirect training (airway protection training, sensory stimulation, supraglottic swallowing training, etc.), 30 min a time, once a day, five days a week, lasting for four weeks. The rTMS group received high-frequency rTMS treatment on the basis of the control group, with a stimulation intensity of 80% RMT and a frequency of 3.0 Hz. The stimulation time was 2 s, and the interval was 10 s, for a total of 600 pulses, 10 min a time, once a day, five days a week, lasting for four weeks. The combination group received motor imagery training on the basis of the rTMS group, 20 min a time, once a day, five days a week, lasting for four weeks. Before treatment and four weeks after treatment , video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), penetration aspiration scale (PAS) and the standardized swallowing assessment (SSA) were used to assess the swallowing function of patients.ResultsVFSS score of the three groups increased significantly after treatment, PAS score and SSA score of the three groups decreased significantly after treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (P