NCT07210944

Scalp Acupuncture Combined With rTMS for Upper Limb Motor Dysfunction in Stroke: A Brain Network Study

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

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 44 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Debiao Kong · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 70 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Upper Extremity
• Acupuncture Therapy
• Stroke
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Repetitive
• Motor Disorders

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
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.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-05
• Primary completion: 2026-12-05
• Completion: 2027-05-30
• First posted: 2025-10-07
• Last updated: 2025-11-19

Locations

1 site across 1 country: China