Abstract: Objective To explore the rehabilitation effect of respiratory function training combined with balloon dilation on swallowing function in the cerebral stroke patients with cricopharyngeal muscle achalasia (CPA). Methods A total of sixty stroke patients with CPA admitted to Taian City Central Hospital from October 2020 to October 2023 were enrolled in this study. They were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group using a random number table method, with 30 cases in each group.The control group received basic treatment and balloon dilation, while the observation group received respiratory function training additionally. The rehabilitation treatment effects including the grade of Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), surface averaged electromyography (AEMG) and root mean square (RMS) values of the subhyoid muscle group, the score of videofluorographic swallowing study (VFSS), and respiratory function indicators such as maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), forced vital capacity(FVC) and maximum indoiratory pressure(MIP) of the two groups were compared. Results After treatment, the grade of FOIS, AEMG, RMS, VFSS scores, FVC, MIP and MEP showed significant improvements in the two groups(P<0.05), especially in the observation group (P<0.05). Conclusions The combination of respiratory function training and balloon dilation can significantly improve the swallowing function of the patients with CPA, which is worthy of further clinical promotion.

Key words: respiratory function training, cricopharyngeal muscle achalasia, balloon dilation, rehabilitation therapy, stroke