Clinical Efficacy of Electroacupuncture Therapy on Limb Dysfunction in Ischemic Stroke Patients at High-Altitude Regions: A Multi-center Randomized Double-blind Controlled Trial

Launched by KAIYANG ZHENG · Jul 10, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether electroacupuncture—a treatment that uses small electrical currents through acupuncture needles—can help improve limb movement problems in people who have had an ischemic stroke (a type of stroke caused by a blood clot) and live in high-altitude areas. The researchers want to see if this therapy is effective and safe for these patients. To do this, they will compare real electroacupuncture treatments to fake (sham) treatments to understand if the therapy truly makes a difference.

People who might join the study are adults between 18 and 75 years old who have had up to three ischemic strokes, with their current stroke occurring between two weeks and three months ago. Participants will receive daily electroacupuncture sessions for two weeks and will have their limb movement and brain function tested before and after the treatment. The study does not include those with certain other brain conditions, severe communication difficulties, or those who are pregnant. This trial is not yet recruiting participants but aims to provide helpful information about a possible new way to improve recovery after stroke in high-altitude regions.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • (1) Meeting diagnostic criteria for ischemic stroke ; (2) Aged 18-75 years ; (3) Total stroke episodes \< 3 ; (4) Current stroke with disease course of 2 weeks to 3 months ; (5) Severity of limb motor impairment assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score .
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • (1) Patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA), cerebral hemorrhage, or reversible ischemic neurological deficit (RIND); (2) Patients with intracranial space-occupying lesions; (3) Patients with severe aphasia or other complications impairing scale assessment compliance; (4) Pregnant or lactating women, or those planning pregnancy; (5) Patients with acupuncture contraindications.