IJTRR 2016; 5 (5):178-185 Original Research Article doi: 10.5455/ijtrr.000000202 International Journal of Therapies & Rehabilitation Research http://www.scopemed.org/?jid=12 E-ISSN 2278-0343 A comparative study of traditional dysphagia therapy vs thermal-tactile stimulation in the restoration of functional swallow and QOL in subjects with acute cerebral stroke during hospital stay Dr. M.Srikanth, Dr. G.Kameswari, Dr.V.Srikumari, Dr. K.Madhavi, college of physiotherapy, SVIMS, Tirupathi. ABSTRACT Globally, stroke is an epidemic that threatens lives, health, and quality of life. It is one of the leading causes of death and disability in India. Dysphagia needs to be detected early and managed effectively because the consequences of untreated dysphagia could be serious. Dysphagia manifestations, severity, and prognosis are greatly affected by the locus of neurologic damage. Long-term hospitalization due to delayed functional recovery causes not only economic loss but also decreased quality of life and increased mortality. Objectives: To find out the efficacy of TDT & TTS on functional swallow through FOIS and QOL through MDADI in cerebral stroke patients. Methodology: participants were randomized into experimental group (n =15) and control group (n = 15). For the control group thermal tactile stimulation treatment was given 30 minutes daily for 2 weeks and thermal stimulation was applied with size 00 oral examination mirror cooled by immersion in ice. The base of the anterior faucial arch was lightly touched with the mirror back. The mirror was removed, the patient was asked to close his or her mouth and attempt to swallow saliva. For the experimental group, TDT which includes the TTS and additional exercise program under physiotherapy intervention was given for at least 30 minutes a day, by an average during the 2-weeks study period. Outcome measures: FOIS is to evaluate functional swallow, MDADI is to evaluate QOL. Results: values within the groups were compared by using paired `t` test. According to obtained values, the pre & posttest values of FOIS and MDADI had an significant effect on p-values 0.000 in experimental group. The difference between the pretest and posttest scores of 95% confidence intervals for each outcome variable was reported. Conclusion: After 2 weeks of intervention protocol, the present study concludes that TDT has significant improvement in FOIS, MDADI in experimental group. KEY WORDS: Acute Stroke, Dysphagia, Rehabilitation *Corresponding author Dr. M.Srikanth College of physiotherapy, SVIMS, Tirupathi.