Effect of IQoro® training on impaired postural control and oropharyngeal motor function in patients with dysphagia after stroke

Abstract

Conclusion All patients with dysphagia after stroke have impaired postural control. IQoro® screen (IQS) training gives a significant and lasting improvement of postural control running parallel with significant improvement of oropharyngeal motor dysfunction (OPMD). Objectives The present investigation aimed at studying the frequency of impaired postural control in patients with stroke-related dysphagia and if IQS training has any effect on impaired postural control in parallel with effect on OPMD. Method A prospective clinical study was carried out with 26 adult patients with stroke-related dysphagia. The training effect was compared between patients consecutively investigated at two different time periods, the first period with 15 patients included in the study more than half a year after stroke, the second period with 11 patients included within 1 month after stroke. Postural control tests and different oropharyngeal motor tests were performed before and after 3 months of oropharyngeal sensorimotor training with an IQS, and at a late follow-up (median 59 weeks after end of training). Result All patients had impaired postural control at baseline. Significant improvement in postural control and OPMD was observed after the completion of IQS training in both intervention groups. The improvements were still present at the late follow-up.

Keywords:

• Stroke
• sensorimotor stimulation
• oral screen
• dysphagia
• swallowing capacity
• oropharyngeal motor dysfunction
• postural control

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from The Centre for Research & Development, Uppsala University/County Council of Gävleborg, Sweden; and The Council for Regional Research in Uppsala and the Örebro region, Sweden. Biostatistician Lisa Wernroth and clinical data manager Manuela Zamfir, Uppsala Clinical Research Center (UCR), were involved in planning the study design and responsible for the statistical analyses. Photo and illustrations by Mary Hägg.

Disclosure statement

IQoro® is patented and CE-marked by MYoroface AB. Mary Hägg is the inventor. Swedish patent SE 1350314-9, 2014 July 14. IQoro® is an orofacial medical device and a method for therapeutic use. The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Abbreviations
(LF)	=	Lip force
(IQS)	=	Oral IQoro® screen
(OPM)	=	Oropharyngeal motor
(OPMD)	=	Oropharyngeal motor dysfunction
(PEG)	=	Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
(PASS)	=	Postural Assessment Scale for Patients with Stroke
(PCCM)	=	Postural Control According to Castillo Morales
(SC)	=	Swallowing capacity
(SCT)	=	Swallowing capacity test
(VCA)	=	Velopharyngeal closure ability