SynthesisDysphagia2026
Effectiveness of Combined Rehabilitation Approaches in Post-Stroke Dysphagia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Synthesis in Dysphagia, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis critically examine the efficacy of combined rehabilitation strategies, specifically the integration of swallowing exercises, neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), and neuromuscular taping (NMT), in the management of post-stroke dysphagia. Four databases (Scopus, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and PubMed) were searched for studies published from January 1990 to December 2024. Reference lists from relevant articles were also reviewed. A total of 372 studies were identified. After screening titles, abstracts, and full texts, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria. POPULATION: Adults (≥ 18 years) with post-stroke dysphagia in the acute or subacute phases.
interventionSwallowing exercises, NMES, NMT, or a combination. COMPARATOR: Control groups with single interventions, usual care, or traditional therapies. OUTCOMES: Primary outcomes included swallowing function, aspiration pneumonia reduction, and quality of life. Secondary outcomes examined the timing, intensity, and type of interventions. Data were extracted using a standardized form in Microsoft Excel, focusing on study characteristics, participant demographics, intervention details, and outcome measurements. This systematic review supports the effectiveness of combined intervention approaches for post-stroke dysphagia. The meta-analysis revealed a significant improvement in swallowing function, with a pooled effect size of -1.27, indicating reduced Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) scores. The random-effects pooled effect size was - 1.49 (95% CI: -1.92 to -1.06). Substantial heterogeneity (I² = 67.37%) was observed, likely attributable to differences in study methodologies, intervention protocols, and participant characteristics. The findings support the efficacy of combined rehabilitation strategies for post-stroke dysphagia. Certain combined interventions, particularly those incorporating NMES, show promise of effectiveness. However, the effectiveness of other modalities, such as kinesiology taping and chin tuck against resistance, remains less consistent and requires further investigation. REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO Registration ID: CRD42025645917.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.