EFFECT OF ELECTROACUPUNCTURE ON COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME IN PATIENTS WITH STROKE: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Launched by CAIRO UNIVERSITY · Jul 22, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether a treatment called electroacupuncture can help reduce pain and improve movement in people who have a condition called complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) after having a stroke. CRPS causes severe pain, often in the shoulder and wrist, along with symptoms like swelling, warmth in the hand, and difficulty moving the arm. This trial aims to see if electroacupuncture—a therapy that uses small electrical currents through acupuncture needles—can ease these symptoms and improve quality of life.

The study plans to include 40 adults between the ages of 45 and 65 who have been diagnosed with CRPS after a stroke, using a special set of criteria called the Budapest criteria to confirm their condition. People with previous hand or shoulder problems, certain heart or kidney conditions, major joint diseases, diabetes, or who are pregnant will not be able to join. If you participate, you can expect to receive electroacupuncture treatment as part of the study, and your pain levels and arm movement will be monitored over time to see if the treatment helps. This trial is not yet recruiting participants but aims to explore a new way to manage a challenging pain condition after stroke.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. The study involved forty patients male and female aged between 45 and 65 years. 2. A confirmed diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome through clinical assessment by neurologist using The Budapest criteria for diagnosis of CRPS (Choi et al ., 2013
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Pre-existing history of hand problems and shoulder dysfunction prior to experiencing a stroke . 2. Those with an overactive sympathetic system from alternative causes eg.congestive heart failure,chronic kidney disease(Reynolds \& Minic, 2023) 8 3. individuals with significant musculoskeletal disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or metabolic disorders including diabetes 4. Pregnancy