Effectiveness of Electroacupuncture at Xuanzhong (GB39) and Tongli (HT5) Points in Post-Stroke Aphasia

Summary

Post-stroke aphasia (PSA) is a prevalent and debilitating condition that significantly impairs communication, social participation, and quality of life, often leading to increased long-term healthcare costs and psychological burden. While speech therapy is the recommended standard of care, many patients face limitations in recovery, prompting exploration into integrative approaches. Traditional medicine, particularly electroacupuncture, has shown potential in enhancing neuro-functional recovery; however, further evidence is needed to optimize its integration with standard rehabilitative protocols. This study evaluates the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture at the Xuanzhong (GB39) and Tongli (HT5) acupoints combined with standardized speech therapy, aiming to improve language outcomes and patient quality of life.

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture at the Xuanzhong (GB39) and Tongli (HT5) acupoints combined with speech therapy in patients with post-stroke aphasia, aged 18 to 75. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does electroacupuncture at the Xuanzhong and Tongli acupoints, combined with speech therapy and standard treatment, improve language recovery more effectively than the standard protocol alone, as measured by the BDAE and ART scales?
* Does this combined approach significantly improve the quality of life (SAQOL-39) and correlate with functional language recovery in post-stroke patients?

Researchers will compare the intervention group (electroacupuncture at Xuanzhong and Tongli combined with basic treatment and speech therapy) to a control group (electroacupuncture at other acupoints combined with basic treatment and speech therapy) to see if the specific acupoint combination enhances language rehabilitation.

Participants will:

* Undergo 4 weeks of electroacupuncture (once daily, 5 days per week) and speech therapy sessions.
* Complete assessments of language function (BDAE, ART) and quality of life (SAQOL-39) at baseline, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months.
* Be monitored for any adverse effects, such as local pain, bleeding, bruising, or needle fainting, throughout the trial period.

Conditions

• Post-stroke Aphasia
• PSA

Interventions

OTHER

Electroacupuncture

Electroacupuncture: Performed using a KWD-808I electroacupuncture device, set at a frequency of 2 Hz and an intensity of 2 mA. Acupoint Formula: Xuanzhong (3 cun above the apex of the lateral malleolus) and Tongli (1 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist, on the radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon). Procedure: Needles are inserted rapidly to achieve deqi, with a retention time of 20 minutes per session.

OTHER

Basic treatment + Speech therapy

Participants receive standard basic treatment (management of blood pressure, lipids, blood glucose, and antiplatelet therapy) alongside speech therapy (30 minutes/session, 5 days/week for 4 weeks).

OTHER

Sham Electroacupuncture

Performed using the same electroacupuncture device, but with the intensity set to 0 mA to maintain blinding. Insertion Sites: Non-acupoint 1 (1 cm lateral to the Xuanzhong point towards the fibula) and Non-acupoint 2 (1 cm medial to the Tongli point towards the ulna). Procedure: Needles are inserted rapidly without deqi manipulation, with a retention time of 20 minutes per session.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-07-31

Primary Completion

2027-12-31

Completion

2028-01-31

Countries

• Vietnam

Study Locations