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Effects of Different-Frequency Electroacupuncture on Suprahyoid Muscles in Post-Stroke Dysphagia: Efficacy and Neural Networks

NCT07496762 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 90

Last updated 2026-03-27

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This randomized controlled study in patients with post-stroke dysphagia aims to determine the optimal stimulation frequency of electroacupuncture of the suprahyoid muscles and to elucidate the underlying neural mechanisms. Participants will be assigned to low-frequency (2 Hz), medium-frequency (50 Hz), or high-frequency (100 Hz) electroacupuncture groups. Therapeutic efficacy will be assessed using the Kubota water-drinking test, videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), and ultrasonography to identify the optimal frequency. In parallel, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) will be used to evaluate changes in fiber connectivity between swallowing-related cortical regions (bilateral precentral gyrus, insula, supramarginal gyrus, and frontal lobe) and the medullary nucleus tractus solitarius, thereby exploring neural network remodeling and providing mechanistic evidence to inform clinical practice.

Conditions

  • Stroke Sequelae
  • Deglutition Disorders
  • Acupuncture Therapy
  • Electroacupuncture

Interventions

DEVICE

Low Frequency EA

Electroacupuncture will be applied to the suprahyoid muscles. The stimulation frequency will be set at 2 Hz (Low Frequency). The intensity should be adjusted to the patient's tolerance, utilizing a discontinuous waveform. Treatment is administered once daily for 30 minutes, with a course cosisting of 7 sessions. A rest day is observed between courses, and the treatment is continued for a total of 6 courses.

DEVICE

Medium Frequency EA

Electroacupuncture will be applied to the suprahyoid muscles. The stimulation frequency will be set at 50 Hz (Medium Frequency). The intensity should be adjusted to the patient's tolerance, utilizing a discontinuous waveform. Treatment is administered once daily for 30 minutes, with a course cosisting of 7 sessions. A rest day is observed between courses, and the treatment is continued for a total of 6 courses.

DEVICE

High Frequency EA

Electroacupuncture will be applied to the suprahyoid muscles. The stimulation frequency will be set at 100 Hz (High Frequency).The intensity should be adjusted to the patient's tolerance, utilizing a discontinuous waveform. Treatment is administered once daily for 30 minutes, with a course cosisting of 7 sessions. A rest day is observed between courses, and the treatment is continued for a total of 6 courses.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Kaili Chen

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
80 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-04-21
Primary Completion
2028-12-21
Completion
2028-12-21

Countries

  • China

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07496762 on ClinicalTrials.gov