Oral Neuromuscular Training in Stroke Patients With Dysphagia

Oral neuromuscular training is performed by using an oral device. The device is placed pre-dentally behind closed lips, and the participant is sitting in an up-right position. The participant is the instructed to hold the device against a gradually-increasing horizontal pulling force for 5-10 s, whilst trying to resist the force by tightening the lips and pressing the head backward against a head rest.

All participants in the control group is given orofacial sensory-vibration stimulation by using an electrical toothbrush. Instructions is given on how to stimulate the buccinator mechanism, lips, external floor, and the tongue three times daily before a meal.