Evidence Based of Swallowing Therapy for Post-Stroke Dysphagia: a Literature Review

Abstract

Dysphagia is a common complication following stroke and can have serious consequences for patients’ nutritional status, respiratory health, and overall quality of life. Swallowing exercises have emerged as a rehabilitative approach aimed at restoring swallowing function through neuromuscular stimulation and the facilitation of neuroplasticity. This literature review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of various swallowing exercise interventions in improving swallowing function among adult stroke patients with dysphagia, based on randomised controlled trials (RCTs) conducted between 2020 and 2025. The review was structured using the PICO framework and adhered to the PRISMA guidelines. Relevant studies were retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar using the following search terms: (“swallowing exercise” OR “swallowing therapy”) AND “stroke” AND “dysphagia” AND “randomised controlled trial.” A total of 282 articles were identified, of which 10 met the inclusion criteria and were analysed in depth. Various swallowing interventions, including Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES), Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), traditional swallowing exercises, and oral neuromuscular training, demonstrated significant improvements in swallowing function. These were evidenced by outcome measures such as the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS), Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL), and others. Swallowing exercises are effective in supporting the recovery of post-stroke dysphagia. These interventions are recommended as integral components of structured dysphagia rehabilitation programs.