Testing mouth care methods to help swallowing after stroke
Compares mouth care routines to see if they improve swallowing in adults after stroke.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Effect of Applying Oral Hygiene Care on Swallowing in Stroke Patients With Oropharyngeal Dysphagia
Key facts
- Where
- Ghent, BelgiumSee the site
Where in Belgium
- Ghent university hospitalGhent, BelgiumNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University Hospital, Ghent
- Trial code
- NCT06847217
- Record updated
- 31 May 2025
- Original description
Post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) is a common condition, affecting over 40% of patients within hours to days following a stroke. It is associated with negative outcomes, including higher rates of mortality and dependency, incidence of aspiration, pneumonia, and malnutrition. The presence of dysphagia, combined with poor oral health, significantly increases the risk of these adverse outcomes. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the impact of oral care practices on these outcomes, as well as their effect on oral function and swallowing in acute stroke patients.Read full original descriptionShow less
Effect of Applying Oral Hygiene Care on Swallowing in Stroke Patients With Oropharyngeal Dysphagia: A Multi-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial
Post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) is a common condition, affecting over 40% of patients within hours to days following a stroke. It is associated with negative outcomes, including higher rates of mortality and dependency, incidence of aspiration, pneumonia, and malnutrition. The presence of dysphagia, combined with poor oral health, significantly increases the risk of these adverse outcomes. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the impact of oral care practices on these outcomes, as well as their effect on oral function and swallowing in acute stroke patients.
The optimal approach to delivering oral care remains undefined, and practices vary widely among healthcare professionals. Many providers often avoid using toothbrushes or toothpaste due to concerns about the risk of aspiration, despite recommendations for their use. Electric and suction toothbrushes may offer effective alternatives, but their high cost and uncertain benefits in the context of an acute stroke pose challenges.
This study aims to measure the immediate effects of three different oral hygiene protocols: on masticatory and swallowing abilities in stroke patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia during the acute and subacute phases. The protocols are mouth moisturization, mechanical oral hygiene, and combined care (mouth moisturization and mechanical oral hygiene). The primary objective is to evaluate the effect of combined care compared to a control group with care as usual. The secondary objective is to evaluate the other 2 oral hygiene protocols relative to combined care.
Inclusion: Patients enrolled in the stroke unit at Ghent University and diagnosed with oropharyngeal dysphagia; Agreement to participate in the study and having signed an informed consent form; Age over 18 years; Sufficient cognitive abilities and language skills to understand the swallowing exercises.
Exclusion: A history of surgical intervention on the tongue; Edentulous individuals, both fully edentulous or edentulous in one dental arch, if they do not wear dentures; Patients with a penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) of 7 or 8 under flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), at the international dysphagia diet standardisation initiative (IDDSI) level 7; Patients who cannot perform TOMASS, indicated by 25% or more of the amount of cracker's bolus that can be considered as the same cracker.