Hawraa Abd Alhesnawi
Academic Nurse/Ministry of Health/ Kerbala Health Directorate/Iraq
Dr. Hassan Abdullah Athbi
PhD/ Associate Professor/Adult Nursing Department/ College of Nursing/University of Kerbala/Iraq
ABSTRACT
Background: Dysphagia is a serious medical complication following stroke, often leading to significant morbidity and increased risk of aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and dehydration. Early management of dysphagia is crucial to reducing complications and improving functional recovery. The Super-Supraglottic Swallow Maneuver (SSGSM) is a therapeutic swallowing technique designed to enhance airway protection and swallowing coordination in stroke patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of SSGSM on dysphagia severity in post-stroke patients. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at Imam Al-Hussein Medical City in Holy Karbala from October 1, 2023, to May 18, 2024. A purposive sample of 60 stroke patients with dysphagia was recruited and divided into two groups: an intervention group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). The intervention group underwent SSGSM therapy three times daily for seven consecutive days, while the control group received standard care without the maneuver. The severity of dysphagia was assessed using the Gugging Swallow Screen (GUSS) scale. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including paired and independent sample t-tests, with a significance threshold set at p < 0.05. Results: After seven days of intervention, the SSGSM group demonstrated a significant improvement in swallowing function, with a marked reduction in dysphagia severity (p = 0.000). In contrast, the control group did not exhibit a statistically significant change in dysphagia levels between pretest and posttest assessments (p = 0.067). Conclusion: Early implementation of the Super-Supraglottic Swallow Maneuver, performed three times daily for one week, significantly improves swallowing function and reduces dysphagia severity in stroke patients. These findings suggest that incorporating SSGSM into post-stroke rehabilitation protocols may enhance recovery outcomes and reduce the risk of dysphagia-related complications. Further studies with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up are recommended to validate these results.
Keywords: Stroke, Dysphagia, Super Supra Glottic Swallow Maneuver.
