Electroacupuncture for cognitive problems after stroke

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional trial enrolls adults 35–80 with vascular post-stroke cognitive impairment (meeting Chinese diagnostic guidelines, MMSE 12–24, MoCA <24, NIHSS ≤8) across three hospitals in Hangzhou, China. Participants receive standardized electroacupuncture delivered by trained practitioners at Traditional Chinese Medicine and university hospitals. Cognitive function and related measures (for example MMSE, MoCA, AD-8, and NIHSS) are recorded before and after the intervention to track changes in thinking, memory, and daily function. The trial compares participants' cognitive outcomes following the electroacupuncture regimen to baseline and/or usual care to determine clinical effects.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion criteria

* According to the Western diagnostic criteria for vascular cognitive impairment outlined in the "Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Cognitive Impairment (2024 Edition)" developed by the Vascular Cognitive Impairment Branch of the Chinese Stroke Society.
* Meets the traditional Chinese medicine diagnostic criteria for vascular cognitive impairment in the "Guidelines for Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment of Vascular Mild Cognitive Impairment (2024)";
* The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ranges from 12-24, while the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score is below 24; Having cognitive impairment but not reaching the level of severe dementia; The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score is ≤ 8 points; The Early Dementia Screening Scale (Ascertain Dementia 8, AD-8) score is less than 2 points;
* Age between 35-80 years old;
* Have basic communication skills, with Mandarin as the main language (communication language is sufficient), and have at least one stable caregiver;
* Sign the informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria

* Merge serious primary chronic diseases such as heart, liver, kidney, endocrine system, and hematopoietic system, as well as severe cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases;
* Skin diseases or scar constitution such as herpes and ulceration are easy to appear on the body surface, which is not suitable for acupuncture and moxibustion treatment;
* Not suitable for repetitive MRI examinations, such as claustrophobia, arterial aneurysm embolization, etc;
* Patients with cognitive impairment or other severe neurological or mental disorders prior to the onset of this illness, and unstable control;
* Patients identified by other clinical trial personnel as unsuitable for this study;
* Participated in clinical research on related diseases in the past 3 months;

Where it's running

• Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China Recruiting
• The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
  Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China Recruiting
• Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital
  Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China Recruiting
• Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China Not yet recruiting
• The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine
  Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Ruijie Ma — The Third Affiliated hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
• Study coordinator: Bowen Chen
• Email: cbwwjj@163.com
• Phone: +86 13967988987

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.