Effect of Shaker Exercise on Dysphagia Level among Patients with Cerebral Vascular Stroke

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Lecturers of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams University, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Dysphagia is one of the major post-stroke complications that can
severely damage patient's quality of life and even endangers patients’ lives. Shaker
exercise is one of the indirect methods, behavioral swallowing techniques, may
increase the swallowing speed and sensitivity. The aim of the study was to
evaluate the effect of Shaker exercise on dysphagia level among patients with
cerebral vascular stroke. Study design: A quasi-experimental design was utilized
to achieve this aim. Setting: This study was conducted at Neurology Ward, Stroke
ICU and Intermediate Neurological ICU affiliated to Ain Shams University
Hospital, Cairo. Sample: A purposive sample included 68 patients. Tools of data
collection: Data were collected using three tools: 1- Structured Interviewing
Questionnaire, 2- Clinical data tool, 3- Gugging Swallowing Screening (GUSS)
scale. Results: There was a highly statistical significance difference in GUSS score
of dysphagia level among patients pre and post implementation of Shaker exercise
(P<0.001). The Conclusion: Dysphagia exercise therapy as Shaker exercise was an
effective measure in enhancing the swallowing ability among stroke-induced
dysphagia patients. Recommendation: Replicate the study on a larger group;
selected from different geographical areas in Egypt to obtain more generalized
findings in relation to current study

Keywords