The Impact of Nasogastric Tubes (NGTs) on Swallow Function in Adults with Post-stroke Dysphagia: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Nasogastric Tubes (NGTs) are a first-line treatment for delivering short-term nutrition to stroke survivors with dysphagia. However, the impact of NGTs on swallowing function itself is not yet well understood, despite the clinical importance of understanding this relationship to guide NGT treatment decisions. This review examined current evidence on the effects of NGTs on swallowing function in this population, focusing on five outcomes of interest: overall swallowing function, penetration/aspiration, oral and pharyngeal transit times and pharyngeal residue. A systematic search of terms related to stroke, dysphagia and NGTs across four major databases identified 1099 records. Eight full-text..