Efficacy of Swallowing and Tongue Exercises on Swallowing Function and Oral Intake among Patients Admitted in Neurocritical Care Units at Erode.

BACKGROUND

Dysphagia is a frequent and serious complication among patients admitted to neurocritical care units (NCCUs), particularly following stroke and traumatic brain injury. Impaired swallowing function increases the risk of aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, prolonged hospital stay, and mortality. Simple, cost-effective rehabilitative nursing interventions such as swallowing and tongue exercises may improve swallowing outcomes and oral intake in this population.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of swallowing and tongue exercises on swallowing function and oral intake among patients admitted in neurocritical care units.

METHODS

A true experimental pretest-posttest control group design was adopted. A total of 150 patients admitted to NCCUs in selected hospitals at Erode were randomly allocated into experimental (n = 75) and control (n = 75) groups. The experimental group received structured swallowing and tongue exercises three times daily for two weeks in addition to routine care, while the control group received routine care alone. Swallowing function and oral intake were assessed using the Gugging Swallowing Screen and Functional Oral Intake Scale before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS

Posttest mean scores of swallowing function and oral intake were significantly higher in the experimental group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). A significant improvement was observed between pretest and posttest scores within the experimental group, demonstrating the efficacy of the intervention.

CONCLUSION

Swallowing and tongue exercises are effective nursing interventions for improving swallowing function and oral intake among neurocritical care patients and should be incorporated into routine neurocritical nursing care.