To evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on dysphagia after stroke.

Seventy-five patients with dysphagia after stroke admitted to Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Suzhou Ruisheng Rehabilitation Hospital from May 2018 to October 2019 were selected as the study subjects, and were randomly divided into acupuncture group, rTMS group and combined group according to the random number table method. All cases in 3 groups, each one of 25 cases, that received conventional swallowing training and drug therapy. The acupuncture group received conventional treatment with electro-acupuncture, the rTMS group received routine treatment with rTMS, and the combined group received conventional treatment with electro-acupuncture and rTMS. The results of water swallow test, standard swallowing function evaluation scale and surface electromyography (sEMG) were compared before and after treatment in 3 groups of patients, and the corresponding treatment effects were analyzed.

The total effective rate of the combined group (88%) was significantly higher than that of the acupuncture group (72%) and the rTMS group (76%), and there was no statistically significant difference between the acupuncture group and the rTMS group. Standard swallowing function score showed no statistical difference among 3 groups before treatment (P>0.05), and the combined group was superior to the acupuncture group and the rTMS group after treatment (P<0.05), and there was no statistical difference between the acupuncture group and the rTMS group (P>0.05). sEMG results showed that there was no statistical difference among 3 groups before treatment (P>0.05), and the combined group was superior to the acupuncture group and the rTMS group after treatment (P<0.05), and there was no statistical difference between the acupuncture group and the rTMS group (P>0.05).

Acupuncture combined with rTMS combined with rehabilitation training for swallowing in patients with dysphagia after stroke has a significant effect and can effectively improve the patients’ swallowing function, which is worthy of popularization and application.