Objective
To investigate the clinical factors associated with successful gastrostomy tube weaning in patients with prolonged dysphagia after stroke.
Methods
This study involved a retrospective medical chart review of patients diagnosed with prolonged dysphagia after stroke who underwent gastrostomy tube insertion between May 2013 and January 2020. Forty-seven patients were enrolled and consequently divided into gastrostomy tube sustaining and weaning groups. The numbers of patients in the sustaining and weaning groups were 31 and 16, respectively. The patients’ demographic data, Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) score, Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI), Functional Dysphagia Scale (FDS) score, and Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) score were compared between the two groups. A videofluoroscopic swallowing study was performed before making the decision of gastrostomy tube weaning. The clinical factors associated with gastrostomy tube weaning were then investigated.
Results
There were significant differences in age; history of aspiration pneumonia; K-MMSE, FDS, and PAS scores; and K-MBI between the groups. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, the FDS (odds ratio [OR]=0.791; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.634–0.987) and PAS scores (OR=0.205; 95% CI, 0.059–0.718) were associated with successful gastrostomy tube weaning. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the FDS and PAS were useful screening tools for successful weaning, with areas under the curve of 0.911 and 0.918, respectively.
Conclusion
In patients with prolonged dysphagia, the FDS and PAS scores are the only factors associated with successful gastrostomy tube weaning. An evaluation of the swallowing function is necessary before deciding to initiate gastrostomy tube weaning.

Citations

• Predictors of complete oral feeding resumption after feeding tube placement in patients with stroke and dysphagia: A systematic review
  Yijing Li, Zhihua Xu, Xu Zhang, Dongfei Ma, Xiangfei Meng, Mengting Zhang, Jiao Sun
  Journal of Clinical Nursing.2023; 32(11-12): 2533.     CrossRef
• “Timing of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement in post-stroke patients does not impact mortality, complications, or outcomes”: Commentary
  Jonathan Willman, Brandon Lucke-Wold
  World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics.2023; 14(1): 1.     CrossRef
• Association between successful weaning from nasogastric tube feeding and thoracic muscle mass in patients with aspiration pneumonia
  Hyun Woo Lee, Dong Hyun Kim, Kwang Nam Jin, Hyo-Jin Lee, Jung-Kyu Lee, Tae Yeon Park, Deog Kyeom Kim, Eun Young Heo
  Medicine.2023; 102(30): e34298.     CrossRef
• Assessment and treatment of neurogenic dysphagia in stroke and Parkinson's disease
  Giuseppe Cosentino, Massimiliano Todisco, Carla Giudice, Cristina Tassorelli, Enrico Alfonsi
  Current Opinion in Neurology.2022; 35(6): 741.     CrossRef

Objective
To determine the immediate and short-term impact of the application of wearable balance compensation system (BCS) on balance impairment in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA).
Methods
The study enrolled 6 participants with SCA with varying degrees of balance impairment. After adjustment for individual fitting, wearable BCS with up to 3% body weight was placed in a garment on the trunk. Sway direction and magnitude were measured with sensors placed posteriorly at the lumbosacral junction, immediately before and after, and at day 1, day 2, and day 7 after wearing the BCS. Timed Up & Go test (TUG) and 25-foot timed walk test were performed, and static foot pressure was measured.
Results
A significant improvement in static and dynamic balance was found during the 25-foot timed walk and in static foot pressure measurement results after wearing the BCS, when compared with that at baseline (p=0.044 vs. p=0.011). Anterior and posterior sway showed improvements from baseline after wearing the BCS. Improvement in the lateral swaying movement control was also seen.
Conclusion
Application of the BCS might be beneficial in the improvement ofthe static and dynamic balance in patients with SCA. Further research on long-term effects and with a larger sample size is indicated.

Citations

• Effects of Unpredictable Perturbation Training on a Split-Belt Treadmill on Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
  Kap-Soo Han, Myoung-Hwan Ko
  Geriatrics.2025; 10(1): 23.     CrossRef
• L’outil du lestage dans les atteintes du cervelet
  Stella Wagner, Patrick Nenert, Arnaud Choplin
  Kinésithérapie, la Revue.2024; 24(267): 24.     CrossRef
• Pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of spinocerebellar ataxia: A systematic review
  Kah Hui Yap, Shahrul Azmin, Jemaima Che Hamzah, Norfazilah Ahmad, Bart van de Warrenburg, Norlinah Mohamed Ibrahim
  Journal of Neurology.2022; 269(5): 2315.     CrossRef
• Is Lateropulsion Really Related with a Specific Lesion of the Brain?
  Kyoung Bo Lee, Sang Won Yoo, Eun Kyu Ji, Woo Seop Hwang, Yeun Jie Yoo, Mi-Jeong Yoon, Bo Young Hong, Seong Hoon Lim
  Brain Sciences.2021; 11(3): 354.     CrossRef