IMPROVEMENT OF SWALLOWING FUNCTION ASSESSED BY GUSS AND RELATED FACTORS INPATIENT WITH PARKINSON DISEASE AFTER REHABILITATION AT THE NATIONAL GERIATRIC HOSPITAL
Main Article Content
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the improvement of swallowing function using the GUSS and identify related factors in patients with Parkinson’s disease after rehabilitation intervention.
Subjects: Thirty-five patients with Parkinson’s disease treated at the National Geriatric Hospital from September 2024 to September 2025.
Method: A non-controlled interventional study was conducted. Swallowing ability was assessed using the GUSS score before and after a dysphagia rehabilitation program. The intervention included oral-pharyngeal exercises, safe swallowing techniques, and posture training during eating, all performed under the supervision of physicians and rehabilitation therapists.
Results: The mean GUSS score increased from 12.97 ± 3.95 to 14.31 ± 3.93, with an average improvement of 1.34 points (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences in GUSS improvement were observed across age, gender, disease severity, or disease duration groups.
Conclusion: After 3 weeks of rehabilitation intervention significantly improved swallowing ability and eating safety in patients with Parkinson’s disease, demonstrating high clinical effectiveness and practical applicability
Article Details
Keywords
Parkinson’s disease, dysphagia, swallowing rehabilitation, GUSS score, neurorehabilitation.
References
[2] Zhou Z.D, Yi L.X, Wang D.Q, Lim T.M, Tan E.K. Role of dopamine in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease. Translational Neurodegeneration, 2023,12 (1): 44. 10.1186/s40035-023-00369-y.
[3] Takizawa C, Gemmell E, Kenworthy J, Speyer R.A systematic review of the prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, head injury, and pneumonia. Dysphagia, 2016, 31 (3): 434-441. 10.1007/s00455-016-9714-y.
[4] Kalf J.G, de Swart B.J.M, Bloem B.R, Munneke M. Prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in Parkinson’s disease: a meta-analysis. Parkinsonism Relat Disord, 2012, 18 (4): 311-315. 10.1016/j. N.T. Tan Uyen et al. / Vietnam Journal of Community Medicine, Vol. 67, No. 1, 210-215215 parkreldis.2011.10.011.
[5] Lee Y.H, Song G.G. All-cause and cause-specific mortality in Parkinson’s disease: A meta-analysis. neuroepidemiology. Neuroepidemiology, 2025:1-12. https://doi.org/10.1159/000546136.
[6] Heijnen B.J, Speyer R, Baijens L.W.J, Bogaardt H.C.A. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation versus traditional therapy in patients with Parkinson’s disease and oropharyngeal dysphagia: Effects on quality of life. Dysphagia, 2012, 27 (3): 336-345.10.1007/s00455-012-9398-8.
[7] Park J.S, Oh D.H, Hwang N.K, Lee J.H. Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in patients with Parkinson’s disease and dysphagia: A randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial. NeuroRehabilitation, 2018, 42 (4): 457-463. 10.3233/NRE-172425.
[8] Cosentino G, Avenali M, Schindler A et al. A multinational consensus on dysphagia in Parkinson’s disease: screening, diagnosis and prognostic value. J Neurol, 2022, 269 (3): 1335-1352. 10.1007/ s00415-021-10756-9.
[9] Pflug C, Bihler M, Emich K et al. Critical dysphagia is common in parkinson disease and occurs even in early stages: A prospective cohort study.Dysphagia, 2018, 33 (1): 41-50. 10.1007/s00455-017-9839-y.
[10] Fabbri M, Coelho M, Abreu D et al. Dysphagia predicts poor outcome in late-stage Parkinson’s disease. Parkinsonism and Related Disorders, 2019, 64: 73-81.10.1016/j.parkreldis.2019.01.012.
[11] Gugging Swallowing Screen. Accessed October 14, 2025. https://www.donau-uni.ac.at/en/university/faculties/health-medicine/departments/clinical-neurosciences-preventive-medicine/research/research-projects/guss.html
[12] Frank U, Radtke J, Nienstedt J.C et al. Dysphagia screening in Parkinson’s disease. A diagnostic accuracy cross-sectional study investigating the applicability of the gugging swallowing screen (GUSS). Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 2021,33 (5): e14034. 10.1111/nmo.14034.
[13] Qian K. Bedside swallowing screening and rehabilitation nursing in Parkinson’s disease. Practical Clinical Medicine Journal, 2015, 2015 (2): 14-16.https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-2327.128556.
[14] Claus I, Muhle P, Suttrup J et al. Predictors of pharyngeal dysphagia in patients with Parkinson’s disease. J Parkinsons Dis, 2020, 10 (4): 1727-1735. 10.3233/JPD-202093.
[15] Frank U, Radtke J, Nienstedt J.C et al. Dysphagia Screening in Parkinson’s Disease. A diagnostic accuracy cross-sectional study investigating the applicability of the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS). Neurogastroenterol Motil, 2021, 33 (5):e14034.