Effect of tube feeding method on establishment of oral intake in stroke patients with dysphagia: comparison of intermittent tube feeding and nasogastric tube feeding

Sugawara H, Ishikawa M, Takayama M, Okamoto T, Sonoda S, Miyai I, Fujitani J, Tsubahara A. Effect of tube feeding method on establishment of oral intake in stroke patients with dysphagia: comparison of intermittent tube feeding and nasogastric tube feeding. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2015; 6: 1-5. Purpose: To compare the effects of two tube feeding management methods; nasogastric tube feeding and intermittent tube feeding, implemented during the process of rehabilitation for dysphagia due to cerebrovascular disorders on the outcome of oral intake. Methods: Dysphagic patients who were admitted to convalescent rehabilitation wards because of cerebrovascular disorders were divided into two groups: 398 patients who underwent nasogastric tube feeding (NG group) and 114 patients who underwent intermittent tube feeding (ITF group). The two groups were compared with respect to outcome of dysphagia rehabilitation. Results: The proportion of patients who were able to meet nutrition needs by oral intake of three meals alone at discharge was significantly higher in the ITF group than in the NG group (71% versus 53%, p = 0.0007). The proportion of patients showing improvement in food intake level scale (FILS) during hospitalization was also significantly higher in the ITF group (p = 0.007). The mean duration from admission to start of direct training was significantly shorter in the ITF group than in the NG group (9.6 ± 13.9 days versus 19.1 ± 25.8 days, p = 0.001). The mean duration from admission to start of oral food intake was also significantly shorter in the ITF group than in the NG group (20.1 ± 26.4 days versus 27.3 ± 31.8 days, p = 0.049). Conclusion: The results in this study suggest that tube feeding management using ITF achieves better outcome of dysphagia rehabilitation compared to using NG.