Face recognition-driven video game for dysphagia rehabilitation in stroke patients: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility and effectiveness of face recognition-driven video game (FR-VG) swallowing training for stroke patients with dysphagia. DesignA single-blind pilot randomized controlled trial. SettingA rehabilitation center. ParticipantsStroke patients with dysphagia (N=26). InterventionsParticipants in the intervention group were trained using FR-VG, while the control group used the conventional method (i.e. lip exercise, tongue exercise, and lower jaw exercise). The training was conducted five days a week over four weeks. Outcome MeasuresThe swallowing function and swallowing-related quality of life between the two groups were observed before and after the intervention. The acceptance of FR-VG in the intervention group and the adherence of the patients in the two groups after the intervention were analyzed. ResultsA total of 26 stroke patients with dysphagia were included. The results showed that after the intervention, both groups exhibited significant improvements in swallowing function and swallowing-related quality of life compared to the pre-intervention (p < 0.05). Patients in the intervention group demonstrated better swallowing function than the control group on the Gugging swallowing screen (p = 0.015) and functional oral intake scale (p = 0.004). The intervention group had high acceptance of the FR-VG training and had significantly better adherence compared to the control group (p = 0.032). ConclusionsFR-VG rehabilitation training can help improve swallowing function, swallowing-related quality of life, and training adherence in stroke patients with dysphagia. Patients have a high acceptance of FR-VG rehabilitation training, which can be used as an adjunctive method to conventional rehabilitation.