Evaluation of Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Hand Jing-Well Acupoint Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation in Improving Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment

Summary

This study evaluates a non-invasive electrical stimulation therapy applied to specific acupoints on the fingers (called Jing-Well points) to improve thinking and memory problems after stroke.

Purpose: Many stroke survivors develop cognitive difficulties (problems with memory, attention, and decision-making). Current treatments are limited. This study tests whether gentle electrical stimulation to hand acupoints can improve these symptoms.

Who can participate: Adults aged \[35-80\] who have had an ischemic stroke and now have mild to moderate cognitive impairment.

What happens: Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either (1) active electrical stimulation to hand Jing-Well points, (2) sham (fake) stimulation. Treatment will last 4 weeks, 6 sessions per week, each 30 minutes, with a stimulation frequency of 10 Hz and intensity adjusted to each participant's tolerance. Cognitive tests and brain imaging will be done before and after treatment.

Potential benefits: Participants may experience improved cognitive function. The study will also help researchers understand how this therapy works in the brain.

Risks: The electrical stimulation may cause mild tingling or skin irritation at the electrode sites. Brain imaging is non-invasive and safe. All procedures will be performed by trained professionals.

Conditions

• Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment (PSCI)
• Ischemic Stroke
• Cognitive Dysfunction, Cognitive Disorder
• Hemorrhagic Strokes

Interventions

DEVICE

Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation at Jing-Well Acupoints

Device-based transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) delivered to six hand Jing-Well acupoints: Shaoze (SI1), Shangyang (LI1), Zhongchong (PC9), Guanchong (SJ1), Shaochong (HT9), and Dadun (LR1). A custom-designed portable electrical stimulator (model YM-JX-V01, manufactured by Yimai Artificial Intelligence Medical Technology (Tianjin) Co., Ltd.) is used with disposable self-adhesive reference electrodes (4 × 4 cm) and stimulation electrodes (diameter 5 mm). Stimulation parameters: square wave, frequency 10 Hz, pulse width 320 μs, intensity individually titrated to sensory threshold (typically 0-1 mA), session duration 30 minutes. Treatment schedule: 6 sessions per week (Monday-Saturday) for 4 consecutive weeks, totaling 24 sessions. Electrodes are placed bilaterally at the designated acupoints according to WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations.

DEVICE

Transcutaneous Sham Electrical Stimulation at Jing-Well Acupoints

Device-based sham transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) delivered to six hand Jing-Well acupoints: Shaoze (SI1), Shangyang (LI1), Zhongchong (PC9), Guanchong (SJ1), Shaochong (HT9), and Dadun (LR1). A custom-designed portable electrical stimulator with open-circuit design (model YM-JX-V01, manufactured by Yimai Artificial Intelligence Medical Technology (Tianjin) Co., Ltd.) is used with disposable self-adhesive reference electrodes (4 × 4 cm) and stimulation electrodes (diameter 5 mm). The device delivers ineffective stimulation (0 Hz, no current output) while maintaining identical visual and tactile feedback. Sessions follow the same schedule as the active group: 30 minutes per session, 6 sessions per week for 4 consecutive weeks (24 sessions total). Electrodes are placed bilaterally at the designated acupoints according to WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

  collaborator OTHER

• First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

35 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-08-15

Primary Completion

2027-03-30

Completion

2027-03-30

Countries

• China

Study Locations