Neck injection may restore swallowing in stroke survivors
NCT ID NCT06319534
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether a nerve block called stellate ganglion block can improve swallowing in people with bulbar palsy after an ischemic stroke. 124 participants were randomly assigned to receive either standard rehabilitation alone or standard rehabilitation plus the nerve block. After 10 days, swallowing function was measured using video X-ray and other tools. The study is completed, and results may show whether this nerve block is a helpful addition to rehabilitation.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- stellate ganglion block (a nerve block injection in the neck)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new way to improve swallowing for people with bulbar palsy after a stroke.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study with no phase designation, so results are preliminary. The nerve block procedure carries risks like bleeding, infection, or temporary nerve damage.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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124 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2024
- Finished
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Jul 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a government body.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with ischemic stroke according to the diagnostic criteria, with the stroke occurring in the medulla oblongata and diagnosed as bulbar palsy. * Age \>18 years. * First-time stroke. * Steady vital signs, * Transferred or admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine within 15-30d after onset. * No cognitive impairment or aphasia, with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score ≥21 points. * No history of severe mental illness or psychotropic drug dependence. * Unsafe or insufficient oral intake, indicating the need for enteral feeding Exclusion Criteria: * Contraindications for Stellate Ganglion Block.. * Structural abnormalities of the oropharynx. * Complicated with other neurological diseases. * Tracheostomy tube inserted. * Simultaneously suffering from liver, kidney failure, tumors, or hematological diseases. * Dysphagia caused by other possible diseases. * Pregnant females.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Department of rehabilitation medicine, the first ZU hospital north campus
Zhenzhou, China
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HLJ older people hospital
Heilongjiang, China
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Lankao Renmen Hospital
Henan, China
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NY zhongxin Hospital
Naning, China
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People's Hospital of SN tequ
Suzhu, China
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zhongshan affiliated No.1 Hospital
Guandong, China
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