Hand Jing-Well Points Stimulation to Treat Disorders of Consciousness

Launched by XIJING HOSPITAL · Apr 14, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new treatment option for people experiencing disorders of consciousness due to severe brain injuries. The study will look at a specific method of stimulating certain points on the hands to see if it can help improve awareness and responsiveness in patients. The trial is not yet recruiting participants but aims to involve adults aged 18 and older who have had a brain injury within the last 90 days and have been diagnosed with either a Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome (UWS) or a Minimally Conscious State (MCS).

To be eligible, participants must have intact skin on their hands and give consent through a legal representative. However, those with unstable vital signs, certain medical devices like pacemakers, or a history of epilepsy will not be included in the study. If eligible, participants can expect to receive hand stimulation during the trial, and researchers will carefully monitor their responses. This study aims to find the best ways to stimulate the hand to potentially improve patients' conditions and contribute to future treatments for similar cases.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age: 18-80 years old
• • From 7 to 90 days since brain injury
• • Diagnosed in VS/UWS or MCS as defined by at least two CRS-R assessments performed during the screening period
• • Acquired cerebral damage of known etiology
• • Intact hand skin
• • Informed consent given by the legal surrogate
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients who continuously receive sedative drugs and Na+ or Ca2+ channel blockers (e.g., carbamazepine) or NMDA receptor antagonists (e.g., dextromethorphan)
• • History of previous serious、progressive neurological disorder prior to the brian injury
• • Epilepsy and seizure
• • Unstable vital signs or life-threatening comorbidities
• • Active implant (e.g., cardiac pacemakers/defibrillators, deep brain stimulators, ventriculoperitoneal shunt, etc)
• • Documented pregnancy