The Effect of Oral and Nasal Feeding on Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

Nasogastric tube feeding (NGT) has been widely used in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) patients with dysphagia but has a significant risk of complications. Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding (IOE) is an established enteral nutrition approach that can be used with comprehensive rehabilitation therapy. This study aims to explore the clinical effect of IOE vs. NGT on CSVD Patients with Dysphagia. This was a randomized controlled study with 60 CSVD Patients with Dysphagia who received comprehensive rehabilitation therapy. Patients enrolled were randomly divided into the observation group (with IOE, n=30) and the control group (with NGT, n=30). At admission and after treatment, Video Fluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS) and Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), body mass index (BMI), serum albumin (Alb), and hemoglobin (Hb), Modified Barthel Index (MBI) and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) were recruited to assess and compare dysphagia, nutritional status, activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL). The incidence of pneumonia was recorded and compared.