[Purpose] This study was conducted to compare the swallowing function and quality of life (QOL) in stroke patients with dysphagia by oral intake level. [Subjects and Methods] Seventy-nine stroke patients with dysphagia were enrolled. All subjects were evaluated by using the Swallowing Function Test (SFT) and the Swallowing Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) questionnaire. The subjects were divided into two group based on the SFT score: oral intake (OI) and non-oral intake (NOI) groups. The SFT and SWAL-QOL scores were then compared between the groups. [Results] There were significant differences in items in the SFT, except for the respiratory item, between the OI group and the NOI group. There were significant differences in all items on the SWAL-QOL, except for the sleep item, between the OI group and the NOI group. [Conclusion] Oral intake was positively associated the swallowing function and QOL in stroke patients with dysphagia. Safe intervention using oral intake treatments during dysphagia rehabilitation may have a positive effect on the patients’ swallowing function and QOL.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of lingual strength training (LST) on lingual strength and articulator function in stroke patients with dysarthria. [Subjects and Methods] 16 stroke patients with dysarthria were randomly assigned into two groups: the experimental group (n=8) or the control group (n=8). Both groups received the conventional rehabilitation therapy at 30 min/day, 5 times for week, and during 4 weeks, and the experimental group received an additional 30 min of LST using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). The Maximum Isometric Tongue Pressures (MIPs) was used to assess the lingual strength and the Alternating-Motion Rate (AMR) and Sequential-Motion Rate (SMR) were used to measure the articulator function. [Results] After the intervention, the experimental group showed a significant improvement in MIPs and AMR (/tə/) than the control group. [Conclusion] Findings of this study suggest that LST provides positive effects on lingual strength and articulator function, and thus can be used as an interventional method in stroke patients with dysarthria.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to standardize the clock drawing test (CDT) for people with stroke using Rasch analysis. [Subjects and Methods] Seventeen items of the CDT identified through a literature review were performed by 159 stroke patients. The data was analyzed with Winstep version 3.57 using the Rasch model to examine the unidimensionality of the items’ fit, the distribution of the items’ difficulty, and the reliability and appropriateness of the rating scale. [Result] Ten out of the 159 participations (6.2%) were considered misfit subjects, and one item of the CDT was determined to be a misfit item based on Rasch analysis. The rating scales were judged as suitable because the observed average showed an array of vertical orders and MNSQ values < 2. The separate index and reliability of the subject (1.98, 0.80) and item (6.45, 0.97) showed relatively high values. [Conclusion] This study is the first to examine the CDT scale in stroke patients by Rasch analysis. The CDT is expected to be useful for screening stroke patients with cognitive problems.

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