Comparison of efficacy of non-pharmacological intervention for post-stroke dysphagia: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis

Increasingly, non-pharmacological interventions are being identified and applied to post-stroke dysphagia.

Nevertheless, there is insufficient evidence to assess which type of interventions are more effective.

In this study, the randomized controlled trials of non-pharmacological interventions on post-stroke dysphagia were retrieved from the relevant databases.

Including 96 studies and 12 non-drug treatments.

Then, and the network meta-analysis is carried out by statistical software.

The results show: In the aspects of videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA), swallowing-quality of life (SWAL-QOL), Water swallow test (WST); Acupuncture + electrotherapy + rehabilitation training, acupuncture + rehabilitation training + massage, electrotherapy + rehabilitation training, acupuncture + electrotherapy + rehabilitation training, electrotherapy, acupuncture + rehabilitation training + acupoints sticking application have significant effects in post-stroke dysphagia.

Compared with other interventions, they have more advantages in improving the above indicators.

A substantial number of high-quality randomized clinical trials are still necessary in the prospective to validate the therapeutic effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in post-stroke dysphagia and the results of this Bayesian network meta-analysis.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12868-023-00825-0.