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Nutritional support strategies for patients with dysphagia after stroke: comparison of dehydration risk between intermittent tube feeding and thickened feeding

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 February 2026

Mengchao Li ,
Hairong Yu ,
Mengru Li ,
Yan Cui ,
Jiemiao Shen  and
Shen Chen Open the ORCID record for Shen Chen [Opens in a new window]
Mengchao Li
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Shandong, People’s Republic of China
Hairong Yu
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
Mengru Li
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
Yan Cui
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
Jiemiao Shen
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
Shen Chen*
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
*
Corresponding author: Shen Chen; Email: chenshen_njmu@163.com
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Abstract

This study is a prospective observational study to systematically compare the effects of intermittent tube feeding and thickened feeding on dehydration status, thirst degree and quality of life in patients with dysphagia after stroke. A total of forty-eight patients with dysphagia after stroke were selected and divided into intermittent tube feeding group (twenty-four cases) and thickened feeding group (twenty-four cases). The grouping was based on the nutritional intake mode after clinical decision-making. Participants were selected from the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. All enrolled patients received conventional treatment and nursing measures and were treated for 2 weeks. The dehydration status was evaluated by plasma osmotic pressure. The degree of thirst is evaluated by the Numerical Rate Scale. Total protein and Hb are used to assess nutritional status; The Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) assesses swallowing function. The Swallowing Quality of Life Scale (SWAL-QOL) was used to assess the quality of life. After 2 weeks of treatment, the improvement in dehydration and thirst in intermittent tube feeding group was better than that in thickened feeding group (P < 0·05). The FOIS and SWAL-QOL scores of both groups of patients improved compared with those before treatment (P < 0·05). Intermittent tube feeding can improve the dehydration status of patients with dysphagia after stroke, relieve thirst and enhance swallowing function and quality of life. The study may provide a more comprehensive basis for the selection of clinical nutritional support plans.

Keywords

StrokeDysphagiaIntermittent tube feedingThickened feedingDehydrationNutritional support

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , First View , pp. 1 - 8
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society

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Footnotes

Mengchao Li and Hairong Yu contributed equally to this work

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