Interventions for Postextubation Dysphagia in Critically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective: This review evaluates the efficacy and safety of dysphagia interventions for patients with prolonged endotracheal intubation (⩾48 h) in critical care units. Data Sources: We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, OVID, CINAHL, Wanfang (China), CNKI (China), and ProQuest Dissertations for studies published up to December 31, 2023. Study Selection: Inclusion criteria encompassed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-randomized trials, and cohort studies comparing dysphagia rehabilitation — such as swallowing stimulation, swallowing and respiratory muscle exercise, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation — with standard care or no treatment. The primary outcomes assessed were dysphagia severity, time to resume oral intake, and incidence of aspiration and aspiration pneumonia. Data Extraction: Detailed information on study design, setting, participant demographics, interventions, and outcomes was systematically extracted. Data Synthesis: Our analysis included ten studies with a total of 1031 participants. The findings demonstrate a significant reduction in dysphagia severity, time to oral intake and the risk of aspiration pneumonia, and an improvement in quality of life among patients receiving swallowing therapy. However, no substantial difference was found in nutritional status. Limited data availability necessitated a descriptive presentation of outcomes like the risk of aspiration, ICU/hospital stay duration, pharyngeal/oral residue severity, and intervention-related adverse events. Conclusion: The current evidence for the effectiveness of dysphagia interventions in critically ill patients with prolonged endotracheal intubation is limited. There is a pressing need for future research, particularly high-quality RCTs employing standardized outcome measures, to substantiate these findings.