Effects of expiratory muscle strength training on swallowing function in acute stroke patients with dysphagia.

Only 18 patients were studied, and the authors note the small sample and short period. All patients received traditional swallowing therapy, so the study cannot show that expiratory muscle strength training alone works; it only compares adding it to traditional therapy. The supplied text does not describe blinding of participants, therapists, or the swallowing evaluator, or how randomisation was done. Participants had MMSE more than 24, no oral-stage swallowing problems, no tracheostomy or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, and no respiratory problems, so results may not apply to more impaired or medically complex stroke patients. The paper does not name a single primary outcome, so the positive findings are across several measured swallowing scales.

The authors declared no conflict of interest. No funding source or sponsor role is stated in the supplied text.

Do not conclude that expiratory muscle strength training alone caused the swallowing improvements. Both groups received traditional swallowing therapy, and the experimental group also received expiratory muscle strength training. The study also had only 18 patients and no long-term follow-up.