How Acupuncture Therapy Improves Dysphagia in Parkinson's Patients

How Acupuncture Therapy Improves Dysphagia in Parkinson's Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study

This study is focusing on dysphagic participants with Parkinson's disease. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy as an additional intervention for these participants. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group, with 56 individuals in each group. Both groups are receiving standard treatment and swallowing rehabilitation training, while the experimental group is also receiving acupuncture therapy. Our study aims to provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of acupuncture in improving swallowing difficulties in Parkinson's disease participants.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Dysphagia
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Acupuncture therapy; Behavioral: Routine rehabilitation training; Behavioral: Swallowing rehabilitation training

Detailed Description

This study is focusing on dysphagic participants with Parkinson's disease. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy as an additional intervention for these participants. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group, with 56 individuals in each group. Both groups are receiving standard treatment and swallowing rehabilitation training, while the experimental group is also receiving acupuncture therapy. Our study aims to provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of acupuncture in improving swallowing difficulties in Parkinson's disease participants.

The study lasted 42 days (6 weeks) for each participant. Specifically, our main focus is on the study of Lianquan, Shanglianquan (depression between the hyoid bone and the lower border of the mandible), Yifeng, Fengchi, Wangu, Fengfu, Yamen, Neidaying (depression of 1 inch below the anterior margin of the mandible), Jinjin, Yuye, posterior pharyngeal wall (both sides of the uvula).

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 80
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Lavie Ce, Master; Phone Number: 15333828388; Email: zenghongjixx@qq.com

Study Locations

• Macau
  • Macau, Macau
    • Macau-ZZU First Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age >18 years.
• Meeting the diagnostic criteria for Parkinson's disease.
• Diagnosed with dysphagia confirmed by the video fluoroscopic swallowing study.
• Water swallow test> Level 3.
• Stable vital signs, conscious, able to cooperate with assessment and treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Dysphagia possibly caused by other reasons, such as cerebrovascular disease, trauma, neuromuscular diseases, malignant diseases of the pharynx and larynx, and digestive tract diseases.
• History of mental diseases or use of antipsychotics.
• Complicated with cognitive impairment or consciousness dysfunction.
• Simultaneously suffering from severe liver, kidney failure, tumors, or hematological diseases.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: routine treatment+swallowing rehabilitation training+acupuncture therapy; The group was given routine treatment and swallowing rehabilitation training. Moreover, the experimental group was given acupuncture therapy.	Procedure: Acupuncture therapy; The whole acupuncture therapy was performed once daily for 5 days per week, including acupuncture needle and tongue needle. Acupuncture needle: Main acupoints: Lianquan, Shanglianquan (depression between the hyoid bone and the lower border of the mandible), Yifeng; Auxiliary acupoints: Fengchi, Wangu, Fengfu, Yamen, Neidaying (depression of 1 inch below the anterior margin of the mandible). Tongue needle (pricking): Acupoints: Jinjin, Yuye, posterior pharyngeal wall (both sides of the uvula).; Behavioral: Routine rehabilitation training; Balance function training: Patients were instructed to achieve weight shift between the left and right sides of the balance bar in a standing position. Walking function training: based on hip, knee, and ankle control training, patients were instructed to take steps training. Core muscle strength training: Patients were instructed to maintain 3 minutes of training in Bridge-style movement. Functional training of daily living: including training on dressing and undressing, independent eating, painting, and writing. Routine rehabilitation training was performed 30-45 minutes/time, 1-2 times/day, 5-7 days/week.; Behavioral: Swallowing rehabilitation training; Swallowing-related organ training involves various exercises targeting the lip, mandibular muscle, cheek, tongue muscle, soft palate, as well as exercises for vocal cord closure, laryngeal lifting, and pharyngeal muscle training. These exercises are performed for 5-15 minutes each session, 1-2 times per day, and 5-7 days per week. Sensory stimulation training is conducted using a self-made popsicle, where medical staff gently stimulate the patient's cheek, soft palate, posterior pharyngeal wall, tongue surface, and sublingual area repeatedly. Each session lasts 5-25 minutes, performed 1-3 times per day, and 3-7 days per week. Once the patient's swallowing function improves to a certain extent, allowing for safe oral intake, direct training or oral feeding training can be gradually introduced.
Active Comparator: routine treatment+swallowing rehabilitation training; The control was given routine treatment and swallowing rehabilitation training	Behavioral: Routine rehabilitation training; Balance function training: Patients were instructed to achieve weight shift between the left and right sides of the balance bar in a standing position. Walking function training: based on hip, knee, and ankle control training, patients were instructed to take steps training. Core muscle strength training: Patients were instructed to maintain 3 minutes of training in Bridge-style movement. Functional training of daily living: including training on dressing and undressing, independent eating, painting, and writing. Routine rehabilitation training was performed 30-45 minutes/time, 1-2 times/day, 5-7 days/week.; Behavioral: Swallowing rehabilitation training; Swallowing-related organ training involves various exercises targeting the lip, mandibular muscle, cheek, tongue muscle, soft palate, as well as exercises for vocal cord closure, laryngeal lifting, and pharyngeal muscle training. These exercises are performed for 5-15 minutes each session, 1-2 times per day, and 5-7 days per week. Sensory stimulation training is conducted using a self-made popsicle, where medical staff gently stimulate the patient's cheek, soft palate, posterior pharyngeal wall, tongue surface, and sublingual area repeatedly. Each session lasts 5-25 minutes, performed 1-3 times per day, and 3-7 days per week. Once the patient's swallowing function improves to a certain extent, allowing for safe oral intake, direct training or oral feeding training can be gradually introduced.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Penetration-Aspiration Scale-liquid	The Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) was conducted under video fluoroscopic swallowing study. PAS is a standardized tool used to assess the safety of swallowing. The scale was developed to evaluate the entry of material into the airway (penetration) and the subsequent passage of material below the vocal folds (aspiration) during swallowing. The PAS scale ranges from 1 to 8, with each level representing different degrees of penetration or aspiration	Day 1 and Day 42
Penetration-Aspiration Scale-paste	The Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) was conducted under video fluoroscopic swallowing study. PAS is a standardized tool used to assess the safety of swallowing. The scale was developed to evaluate the entry of material into the airway (penetration) and the subsequent passage of material below the vocal folds (aspiration) during swallowing. The PAS scale ranges from 1 to 8, with each level representing different degrees of penetration or aspiration.	Day 1 and Day 42

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Swallowing time	The assessment was conducted under video fluoroscopic swallowing study. A 60% barium sulfate suspension was mixed with different doses of thickening agents. The liquid (60% barium sulfate suspension) was used. A shorter time indicated better swallowing function.	Day 1 and Day 42
body mass index	Patients' body mass index was assessed with the physical check, with the combination of height and body weight. as kg/m^2, reference range: 18.5 kg/m2≤BMI<24 kg/m2.	Day 1 and Day 42
Serum Albumin	Patients' Serum Albumin was assessed from the routine blood test, reference range: 35~50 g/L.Values below the reference range for these indicators indicated an unsatisfying nutritional status (risk of malnutrition).	Day 1 and Day 42
Prealbumin	Patients' Prealbumin was assessed from the routine blood test, reference range: 200~400 mg/L.Values below the reference range for these indicators indicated an unsatisfying nutritional status (risk of malnutrition).	Day 1 and Day 42
Hemoglobin	Patients' Hemoglobin was assessed from the routine blood test, reference range: males: 120~160 g/L, females: 110~150 g/L. Values below the reference range for these indicators indicated an unsatisfying nutritional status (risk of malnutrition).	Day 1 and Day 42
Swallowing Quality of Life	Swallowing Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) is a questionnaire designed to evaluate the impact of swallowing problems on a patient's quality of life. It includes 44 items covering various aspects such as eating desire, food selection, communication, and mental health. The SWAL-QOL total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better quality of life. Therefore, in this case, the higher the score, the better the individual's quality of life related to their swallowing function.	Day 1 and Day 42

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Muhammad
• Investigators: Study Director: Nieto Luis, Master, Site Coordinator of United Medical Group

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): March 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2024
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 5, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 5, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): March 12, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 13, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 11, 2024
• Last Verified: March 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Digestive System Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Pharyngeal Diseases; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; Esophageal Diseases; Deglutition Disorders
• Other Study ID Numbers: Acu-PKS-new

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No