IntroductionAlthough swallowing appears to be a simple action, it involves a series of rapid and highly coordinated muscular activities, beginning with lip closure and ending when the bolus passes through the upper esophageal sphincter. This complex process requires coordinated integration across multiple levels of the central nervous system, including the cerebral cortex, subcortical white matter, deep nuclei, and brainstem. Any lesion affecting this sensory and motor integration network may result in dysphagia, and stroke is the most common cause.Post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) may improve within several weeks after stroke onset; however, some patients continue to experience dysphagia beyond six months, with clinically significant safety concerns. These include an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia, as well as complications such as inadequate nutritional and fluid intake.In addition to its physical impact, dysphagia may also affect psychological well-being, leading to low mood and depression. Therefore, early screening and treatment of dysphagia are essential components of stroke care.Based on these considerations, the Taiwan Stroke Society invited experts in dysphagia care across Taiwan to form a consensus panel for this guideline. Through review of the latest evidence, the panel collaboratively developed the “Clinical Practice Guideline for Post-Stroke Dysphagia Care.” Multiple consensus meetings were held, and each recommendation was graded according to its class of recommendation (COR) and level of evidence (LOE). This systematic and standardized guideline is expected to further improve the quality of stroke care.Please refer to the full guideline via the following link: getfile.php
完整治療指引資料請見連結 getfile.php
