Acupuncture for post-stroke swallowing problems
Official title: Acupuncture Treatment for Post-Stroke Dysphagia: A Prospective, Multicenter Clinical Study of a Cohort-Based Embedded Partially Randomized Preference Trial
Run by First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine · NCT07493902 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether different acupuncture approaches improve swallowing in adults with post-stroke dysphagia.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 3232 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 2026 |
| Main results expected | April 2028 |
| Study ends | April 2028 |
| Registry record updated | March 25, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07493902 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults 18–80 with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke within one year, clinically confirmed dysphagia (FOIS grade 2–4), stable vital signs, and ability to consent or having a legal representative to consent.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with dysphagia from non-stroke causes, severe cognitive or psychiatric impairment preventing cooperation, expected survival under three months, severe needle phobia, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The design nests a partially randomized preference trial within a prospective multicenter cohort to compare acupuncture protocols for post-stroke dysphagia. In the cohort portion, acupuncture exposure forms natural groups to study real-world effectiveness and health-economic outcomes of integrated Chinese–Western treatments. In the embedded partially randomized preference trial, patients without a strong treatment preference are randomized 1:1 to conventional acupuncture or a Tongguan Liqiao protocol, while those with clear preferences are assigned to their chosen group. Primary outcomes focus on swallowing function with subgroup analyses and cost-effectiveness measured across participating centers from January 2026 to December 2027.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could identify acupuncture protocols that improve swallowing and help guide treatment choices for people with post-stroke dysphagia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous small trials and meta-analyses have suggested acupuncture can help post-stroke dysphagia, but high-quality randomized evidence is limited, so this work builds on promising but not definitive data.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age between 18 and 80 years old, no gender restrictions;
* Meets diagnostic criteria for ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, confirmed by CT or MRI, with disease duration within one year;
* Meets diagnostic criteria for dysphagia, with FOIS grade 2-4;
* Vital signs stable, able to understand and cooperate with study procedures; ⑤ Patient or legal representative agrees to sign informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Dysphagia not caused by stroke, but resulting from other neurological disorders (e.g., motor neuron disease, myasthenia gravis) or organic lesions (e.g., tumors);
* Patients with psychiatric disorders or severe cognitive impairment who cannot cooperate with treatment;
* Patients with an expected survival time of less than 3 months; ④ Individuals with contrast medium allergy;
* Patients with severe needle phobia who cannot tolerate the procedure; ⑥ Pregnant women, those planning pregnancy, or lactating women; ⑦ Individuals who have participated in other clinical trials or received acupuncture within the past week.
Where it's running
-
Xiaonong Fan
Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, China Recruiting
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.