英文摘要 |
Background Dysphagia in dementia patients not only impacts their quality of life but also increases various health risks. Acupuncture and acupoint massage, as non-pharmacological treatments, are traditionally considered effective in improving swallowing function. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of these treatments in alleviating dysphagia in dementia patients. Methods This prospective non-inferiority trial included 76 dementia patients aged above 60, divided into two groups: 42 received acupuncture, and 30 received acupuncture with massage. The primary evaluation indicators were the Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) and Dysphagia Severity Scale (DSS). The treatment period was eight weeks with sessions twice a week. Results Before treatment, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of basic demographic characteristics and scale scores. Both groups of patients showed significant improvement in swallowing function after four weeks of treatment. However, after eight weeks, only the group receiving acupuncture combined with acupoint massage showed further improvement in swallowing function. Repeated measures ANOVA analysis indicated that after eight weeks of treatment, the group receiving acupuncture with massage showed significantly greater improvement in EAT-10 and DSS scores than the acupuncture-only group. This suggests that the integrated treatment approach is more effective in improving dysphagia in patients with dementia. Conclusion The combined approach of acupuncture and acupoint massage significantly improves swallowing difficulties in patients with dementia, demonstrating potential and feasibility for clinical application. |