The Motor Imagery Based on Action Observation Treatment on Dysphagia in Wallenberg Syndrome

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about on dysphagia in wallenberg syndrome. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• the efficacy of motor imagery based on action observation treatment in the rehabilitation of patients with dysphagia in Wallenberg syndrome.
• apply functional near infrared spectroscopy to explore the mechanism of action of this therapy.

Both groups received conventional dysphagia treatment, and the experimental group underwent the addition of motor imagery based on action observation treatment to the control group once a day for 14 days. Overall swallowing function was assessed before treatment and after 14 days of intervention. Meanwhile, the functional near infrared spectroscopy was used to detect changes in cerebral hemodynamics during the execution of volitional swallowing task and swallowing motor imagery.

Inclusion criteria

• age ranged from 18-80 years and right-handed;
• first onset, vital signs stable and conscious;
• the dysphagia confirmed by videofluoroscopic swallowing study;
• no cognitive impairment, the mini-mental state examination score: >17 for those with an illiterate education, >20 for those with an elementary education, and >24 for those with a secondary education and above;
• good motor imagery ability with kinesthetic and visual imagery questionnaire-10 score ≥25;
• cranial integrity without craniotomy and/or craniectomy;
• patient and/or his/her relative agrees and signs written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• combined ischemic foci at other sites;
• presence of organic swallowing dysfunction or pre-existing dysphagia due to Parkinson's disease, dementia, and others;
• severe cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic, and renal insufficiency and vital organ failure;
• significant psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression;
• infected or broken skin on the head;
• poorly controlled epilepsy;
• poor patient compliance.