Objective

2

To explore the clinical effects of Xingshen Tongqiao Huoxue decoction in the treatment of dysphagia caused by cricopharyngeal achalasia （CPA） after cerebral infarction and its influence on neurotransmitters.

Method

2

One hundred and fourteen eligible patients were randomly divided into a control group （56 cases） and a treatment group （58 cases）. Patients in both groups received balloon catheter dilatation and rehabilitation training. In the observation group， the Tiandan Tongluo capsules were further orally taken， five capsales per time， three times per day. In the control group， the Xingshen Tongqiao Huoxue decoction was provided， one dose per day. The treatment lasted for four weeks. Following the videofluoroscopic swallow study （VFSS） and water-swallowing test （WST） before and after treatment， the swallowing quality of life questionnaire （SWAL-QOL）， functional oral intake scale （FOIS） and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale （NIHSS） scores were calculated. The serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）， substance P （SP）， dopamine （DA）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） and nerve growth factor （NGF） levels before and after treatment were detected， and the complications were recorded.

Result

2

The clinical efficacy of the treatment group was superior to that of the control group （

Z

=2.079，

P

<

0.05）. Both VFSS and WST findings in the treatment group were milder than those in the control group （

Z

=2.004，

P

<

0.05 and

Z

=1.973，

P

<

0.05）. The VFSS， SWAL-QOL， and FOIS scores and the BDNF， DA， SP， 5-HT and NGF levels of the treatment group were elevated in contrast to those of the control group （

P

<

0.01）， whereas the NIHSS score declined （

P

<

0.01）. The complication rate in the treatment group was （8/58） 13.79%， significantly lower than （17/56） 30.36% in the control group （

χ

2

=4.565，

P

<

0.05）.

Conclusion

2

On the basis of balloon catheter dilatation and rehabilitation training， the Xingshen Tongqiao Huoxue decoction can significantly enhance the swallowing function， improve the quality of life， and reduce complications in patients with dysphagia caused by CPA after cerebral stroke.