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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06347250

A Nerve Block Therapy for Bulbar Palsy Pharyngeal Dysphagia

This was a multicenter randomized controlled study. 66 post-stroke patients with pharyngeal dysphagia were randomly allocated to the observation group or the control group. Both groups were provided with comprehensive rehabilitation including routine rehabilitation and swallowing function training. Besides, the observation group additionally underwent the stellate ganglion block (SGB). At admission and after 20-day treatment,Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale, video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), Functional Oral Intake Scale, and Rosenbek penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) were used to assess swallowing function.

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Key information

Conditions

Bulbar Palsy Bulbar Palsy, Progressive Motor Neuron Disease Nervous System Diseases Neurodegenerative Diseases Neuromuscular Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

ZhenD No.1 Hos.

Zhenzhou, China

About this study

Dysphagia is a frequent and potentially serious complication of stroke. However, there is no effective measure for the treatment of pharyngeal dysphagia in stroke patients. This study aims to explore the efficacy of stellate ganglion block in post-stroke pharyngeal dysphagic patients who received comprehensive rehabilitation. This was a multicenter randomized controlled study. 66 post-stroke patients with pharyngeal dysphagia were randomly allocated to the observation group or the control group. Both groups were provided with comprehensive rehabilitation including routine rehabilitation and swallowing function training. Besides, the observation group additionally underwent the stellate ganglion block (SGB). At admission and after 20-day treatment,Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale, video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), Functional Oral Intake Scale, and Rosenbek penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) were used to assess swallowing function.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosed with ischemic stroke according to the diagnostic criteria, with the stroke occurring in the medulla oblongata and diagnosed as bulbar palsy.
  • Upper Esophageal Sphincter did not open or opened ineffectively, with food residue or aspiration, revealed by Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study.
  • Age >18 years.
  • First-time stroke.
  • Steady vital signs,
  • Transferred or admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine within 15d after onset.

Exclusion criteria

  • Allergy to Lidocaine injection or vitamin B12 injection;
  • Severe cognitive impairment;
  • Coagulation disorders;
  • Severe dysfunction of organs including heart, lungs, kidney, liver, etc.;
  • Complicated with other neurological diseases;
  • Dysphagia caused by other diseases or reasons.

Treatment and study plan

Nerve Block

Procedure

The percutaneous approach via the paratracheal route was used for Stellate ganglion block. The operator stood on the side of the block, instructed the patient to lie supine with a thin pillow placed below the shoulders, and tilted the head 45° towards the blocked side, fully exposing the neck. Then, routine disinfection of the neck skin was performed. The puncture site was located 2.5 cm above the sternoclavicular joint and 1.5 cm lateral to the midline of the neck.

Lidocaine Hydrochloride

Drug

the patients were provided with Stellate ganglion block, using 1.5ml of 2% Lidocaine hydrochloride (1ml: 0.5mg) and 500ug of Vitamin B12 (1ml: 0.5g).

routine therapy

Behavioral

All the participants are provided with the comprehensive rehabilitation (routine rehabilitation and swallowing function training). The routine rehabilitation included intervention for risk factors (blood pressure, blood lipids, blood glucose, smoking and alcohol restriction, exercise, etc.).

Regrading swallowing function training, both groups are given swallowing function training, including 1) exercises of closure of the vocal folds, pharyngeal, and laryngeal muscles exercises, and respiratory muscle strength training, for 15 min each time and twice per day. 2) isotonic／isometric swallowing exercises, supraglottic swallowing exercises, for 20 min each time and twice per day. 3) effortful swallowing exercises, and cough reflex training, for 10 min each time and twice per day.

Placebo Block

Procedure

the patients were provided with normal saline. The percutaneous approach via the paratracheal route was used for Stellate ganglion block. The operator stood on the side of the block, instructed the patient to lie supine with a thin pillow placed below the shoulders, and tilted the head 45° towards the blocked side, fully exposing the neck. Then, routine disinfection of the neck skin was performed. The puncture site was located 2.5 cm above the sternoclavicular joint and 1.5 cm lateral to the midline of the neck.

Primary outcomes

  1. The Functional Oral Intake Scale

    Time frame: day 1 and day 10

    The Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) is a tool used to assess the level of independence in oral intake for individuals with swallowing difficulties. The scale ranges from Level 1 to Level 7, with higher Levels indicating better swallowing function.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale

    Time frame: day 1 and day 10

    The Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale (Yale) was used to assess the severity of pharyngeal residue in patients. While PAS primarily evaluated whether food or liquid entered the airway, Yale focused on the condition of pharyngeal residue. The scale includes the four levels from 0 to 3, with lower levels indicating less severe pharyngeal residue.

  2. penetration-aspiration scale

    Time frame: day 1 and day 10

    this assessment evaluated the patient's swallowing of contrast medium and whether there was retention, penetration, and aspiration. It included multiple items, each with the corresponding criteria, Specifically, whether the swallowed material entered the airway, passed through or contacted the vocal cords, and whether the patient exhibited the corresponding ability to clear. There were 8 levels in the results, with higher levels indicating more severe aspiration.

  3. Video fluoroscopic swallowing study

    Time frame: day 1 and day 10

    The patient was required to take a sitting position with the head naturally upright. Under the guidance of the examiner, the patient first swallowed 5ml of iohexol solution (50ml:17.5g in iodine terms). If the patient exhibited aspiration, the test would stop. If not, the patient was instructed to swallow 10ml of iohexol solution mixed with breadcrumbs, and the patient's swallowing condition was observed with immediate measures ready to take for safety. Specially, the esophageal phase was not included in the study, because it was commonly regarded as an independent phase. The swallowing were divided into 3 phases in this assessment: Oral phase, Pharyngeal phase, and Aspiration, with maximum 3,3,4 points were given to each phase. The total score was calculated as the final result. The final score was positively correlated with the swallowing function.

  4. The Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire

    Time frame: day 1 and day 10

    The Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) is a tool designed to assess how swallowing difficulties impact an individual's quality of life. The questionnaire covers various aspects such as eating, speech, and social interaction to understand the challenges and effects of swallowing disorders on daily life.

    SWAL-QOL scores can range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a better quality of life related to swallowing function. Therefore, a higher SWAL-QOL score reflects less negative impact of swallowing difficulties on an individual's overall quality of life, highlighting better adaptation to and management of swallowing issues.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Babujinaya Cela

Other Gov

Registry information

Official study title

A Nerve Block Therapy for Bulbar Palsy Pharyngeal Dysphagia: A Randomized Controlled Study

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Apr 4, 2024
Registry last updated
Apr 4, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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