The effectiveness of acupoint application in the treatment of dysphagia after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Introduction: The systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of acupoint application for patients with post-stroke dysphagia,to inform its clinical adoption in rehabilitation.

Methods: We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, CBM, Wanfang, and VIP from their inception to February 24, 2025, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupoint application for the treatment of post-stroke dysphagia. Two researchers independently extracted information according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4.1 software.

Results: The study comprised 13 RCTs involving 1,344 people. The results indicated that acupoint application combined with control treatment was superior to control treatment alone in improving the effective rate [RR = 3.52, 95% CI (2.41, 5.15), P < 0.00001], Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS) scores [MD = 1.86, 95% CI (1.59, 2.14), P < 0.00001], Swallowing Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) scores [MD = 24.98, 95% CI (18.82, 31.14), P < 0.00001], and serum albumin levels [MD = 4.35, 95% CI (2.50, 6.20), P < 0.00001]. Furthermore, the intervention reduced scores on the water swallow test [MD = -1.38, 95% CI (-1.95, -0.82), P < 0.00001] and the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) [MD = -0.54, 95% CI (-1.05, -0.04), P = 0.03].

Discussion: The acupoint application may be a potentially beneficial complementary therapy for dysphagia after stroke. However, the current evidence is of low certainty. More high-quality evidence is needed to confirm the effcacy of acupoint application in treating post-stroke dysphagia.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD420251011807, PROSPERO identifier: CRD420251011807.

Keywords: acupoint application; dysphagia; meta-analysis; stroke; systematic review.