The effectiveness of specialized high-viscosity nutritional formulas in restoring swallowing function in patients with dysphagia at the acute phase of ischemic stroke

Abstract

Background: Neurogenic dysphagia is a common swallowing impairment, particularly prevalent among patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke. This condition significantly increases the risk of aspiration pneumonia and heightens risks associated with protein-energy malnutrition and dehydration. Swallowing retraining through targeted therapeutic interventions is one of the primary approaches in managing patients with neurogenic dysphagia.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of specialized nutritional formulas of varying viscosity in restoring swallowing function in patients with dysphagia at the acute phase of ischemic stroke as part of combined therapy.

Methods: The study enrolled 65 patients with acute cerebrovascular accident complicated by dysphagia. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups: experimental and control. The experimental group received specialized nutritional formulas of varying viscosity by Fresenius Kabi, whereas the control group received traditional nutrition. The severity of swallowing disorders and their progression were evaluated using the Penetration–Aspiration Scale (PAS) and the Fiberoptic Endoscopic Dysphagia Severity Scale (FEDSS).

Results: Implementation of swallowing retraining in patients with ischemic stroke and dysphagia starting from Day 5 demonstrated superior recovery of swallowing function according to the PAS compared to the control group, with statistically significant differences by Day 10 (p=0.002). A similar trend was observed when evaluating swallowing using the FEDSS. On Day 10, the experimental group after ischemic stroke exhibited significantly improved dysphagia scores compared to the control group (p=0.002). Data from all 65 patients with acute ischemic stroke complicated by dysphagia indicated that specialized nutritional formulas accelerate the restoration of swallowing function compared with traditional nutrition. Marked improvement was noted as early as on Day 5 of treatment among patients receiving Fresenius Kabi high-viscosity formulas. No cases of aspiration pneumonia or progression of protein-energy malnutrition were recorded during the study.

Conclusion: Specialized nutritional formulas of varying viscosity as part of combined therapy significantly accelerate the recovery of swallowing function in patients with acute ischemic stroke, proving to be more effective than traditional nutritional approaches.

Keywords

dysphagia / stroke / restoration of swallowing / aspiration / high-viscosity nutritional formulas / dietary proteins / Fresubin Protein

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