Scalp Acupuncture Combined With rTMS for Upper Limb Motor Dysfunction in Stroke: A Brain Network Study
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, Scalp acupuncture, Conventional rehabilitation treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Upper Extremity, Acupuncture Therapy, Stroke, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Repetitive. Basic parameters: 18 years — 70 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- China
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Research Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial on Brain Network Study of Upper Limb Motor Dysfunction in Stroke Patients Treated With Scalp Acupuncture Combined With rTMS
Overview
This study aims to compare the improvement effects of the rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy group with the rTMS combined with scalp acupuncture and conventional rehabilitation therapy group. Through statistical analysis of the results obtained from functional near-infrared spectroscopy technology during task states, the investigators elucidate the neuroregulatory mechanism of scalp acupuncture combined with rTMS in improving upper limb motor function in stroke patients under MEP localization, and provide evidence for a more optimal rehabilitation program for post-stroke upper limb motor dysfunction.
Interventions
- Device Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
Transcranial magnetic stimulation applied a figure-8 coil to the premotor area at 80%-100% of the healthy-side MEP threshold. Treatment lasted 20 min in two phases: weeks 1-2 on the ipsilateral M1 (1Hz, 10s on/5s off), and weeks 3-4 on the contralateral M1 (10Hz, 3s on/12s off). Treat once a day, 5 days a week, for a total of 4 weeks. - Procedure Scalp acupuncture
Scalp acupuncture selected bilateral upper-limb cortical MEP points (2 points total). The healthy-side hot spot was identified first; if the affected side had no MEP, its mirror point was used. Needles were inserted from point A (affected) to B (healthy) and beyond along the AB line. After insertion, needles were rotated for 2-3 min, manipulated every 10 min, and retained for 30 min. Treat once a day, 5 days a week, for a total of 4 weeks. - Combination product Conventional rehabilitation treatment
Conventional drug therapy included secondary stroke prevention, neurotrophy, and improved cerebral circulation. Routine rehabilitation involved exercise, occupational, and physical therapies, with a total daily treatment time of 90 minutes.
Primary outcome measures
- Maximum amplitude of motor evoked potential [Time frame: One day before treatment, four weeks after treatment]
- Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities [Time frame: One day before treatment, four weeks after treatment]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
- Action Research Arm Test [Time frame: One day before treatment, four weeks after treatment]
- Modified Barthel Index [Time frame: One day before treatment, four weeks after treatment]
- Functional near-infrared spectroscopy [Time frame: One day before treatment, two weeks after treatment, four weeks after treatment]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Meet the diagnostic criteria for stroke (symptoms and signs, imaging indicators, etc.), and are independently diagnosed by two deputy chief physicians
- Age 18-70 years old, first episode, duration 1-6 months
- The diagnostic criteria for upper limb dysfunction align with the Brunnstrom staging system: patients in Brunnstrom stages II to IV. Stage II: patients exhibit associative responses and can perform coordinated movements, with minimal voluntary movements; Stage III: patients show voluntary coordinated movements, such as grasping with the hand but not extending; Stage IV: patients can perform isolated movements, such as pinching with the hand and limited extension
- No severe visual or hearing impairment, able to cooperate with relevant assessments and tests
- The score of the Mini-Mental State Examination is ≥20 points
- Vital signs are stable, with no signs of progressive neurological symptoms
- The patient or legal guardian agrees and signs the informed consent form
Exclusion criteria
- Severe visual impairment, hemispatial neglect, body image disorder
- Individuals who cannot undergo rTMS treatment due to reasons such as metal implants, cardiac pacemakers, or skull defects
- Previous history of brain tumor, brain trauma, epilepsy, and risk of epileptic seizures
- Any other factors that affect assessment and treatment
- Dysfunction of limb movement caused by other reasons (such as trauma, etc.)
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
China · 1 center
- the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University — Hangzhou
Publications
- Kong D, Huang X, Zhang S, Chen K, Gao H, Xie H. MEP-Guided Scalp Acupuncture Combined with Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Post-Stroke Upper Extremity Motor Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Study Protocol. Int J Gen Med. 2026 Feb 24;19:582719. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S582719. eCollection 2026. PMID 41769053
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07210944 · ZSLL-KY-2025-046