Objective  To evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HOT) on post-stroke dysphagia and to provide evidence-based medical evidences for effective prevention and treatment of stroke complications.

  Methods  We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, and Chinese Biological Medical Literature for studies on hyperbaric oxygen therapy for dysphagia after stroke and published between January 1st 2000 to April 1st 2017 and conducted a manual retrieval for a supplementary. RevMan5.3 software was used to perform a meta-analysis.

  Results  The meta-analysis included 8 studies published in Chinese and the studies involved 324 stroke patients with HOT and conventional therapy (test group) and 316 patients only with conventional therapy (control group). The results of the meta-analysis demonstrated that the therapeutic efficiency was better in the test group than in the control group (odds ratio OR = 5.35, 95% confidence interval 95% CI: 3.34 – 8.57; P < 0.01). The subgroup analyses revealed that in comparison with that in the control patients, the therapeutic efficacy was significantly better in the patients with HOT plus conventional treatment (OR = 4.18, 95% CI: 2.06 – 8.51), HOT plus conventional treatment and electrical stimulation (OR = 6.41, 95% CI: 2.82 – 14.56), HOT plus conventional treatment and acupuncture (OR = 20.67, 95% CI ; 2.42 – 176.42), and HOT plus conventional treatment, electrical stimulation and acupuncture (OR = 5.80, 95% CI: 2.15 – 15.70) (P < 0.001 for all). No publication bias was observed for the literatures included in the study based on sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment, indicating that the study results are reliable.

  Conclusion  Hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with conventional therapy can improve the cure rate of post-stroke dysphagia.