Early acupuncture intervention strongly associates with improved swallowing recovery in post-stroke dysphagia: a multicenter real-world cohort study
Li J, Li G, Wang S, Li L, Wang F, Yang C, Shen Y, Yang S, Xu Z, Xu F, Lu M, Wang X, Wang Y, Zhou Z, Li H, Peng Y, Cao Y, Chen X, Zheng X, Han K · Frontiers in Neurology · 2025 September 15
DOI 10.3389/fneur.2025.1553947
Objective
To investigate the effect of acupuncture timing on swallowing recovery in stroke patients with post-stroke dysphagia.
Conclusions
Early acupuncture intervention within 2 weeks post-stroke is strongly associated with improved swallowing recovery, while delayed treatment may limit clinical benefit.
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Insights
Starting acupuncture within two weeks after stroke was associated with better swallowing recovery, whereas later treatment appeared less beneficial.
This multicentre real-world observational study enrolled stroke patients with swallowing difficulties from hospitals across China. Participants developed symptoms within three months of stroke and had impaired swallowing on a water swallowing assessment. Researchers compared recovery outcomes among patients receiving acupuncture at different times after stroke, using multivariable logistic regression to account for potential confounding factors.
Patients treated with acupuncture early after stroke showed better swallowing recovery at hospital discharge and around three months after stroke than those treated later. The apparent advantage of early treatment was less evident by around six months. Brainstem lesions and diabetes were linked to poorer recovery, while elevated blood lipids appeared potentially associated with better outcomes.
