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

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment (PSCI), Ischemic Stroke, Cognitive Dysfunction, Cognitive Disorder, Hemorrhagic Strokes

In brief

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.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07736885

Run by

First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

People needed

70

Starts

2026-08-15

Expected to finish

2027-03-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-30

Who can join

Age: 35 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Aged 35-80 years;
• Stroke duration within 2 weeks to 6 months post-onset;
• Cognitive impairment confirmed by neuropsychological assessment: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score < 26;
• Clinical evaluation excludes delirium, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, or other primary psychiatric/behavioral disorders as the principal cause of current cognitive impairment. No history of other known neurological diseases that may cause cognitive impairment (e.g., multiple sclerosis, encephalitis, Parkinson's disease, post-traumatic dementia, normal pressure hydrocephalus, etc.);
• No severe aphasia; able to cooperate with scale assessments and complete the treatment protocol required by this study;
• Voluntary participation in this study; the participant or their legally authorized representative has signed the informed consent form.

You may not qualify if…

• Unstable vital signs or life-threatening comorbidities;
• Implanted devices (cardiac pacemaker/defibrillator, deep brain stimulator, etc.);
• History of epilepsy or epileptic seizures;
• Pregnant or lactating women;
• Concurrent use of other medications affecting cognitive function;
• Allergy to the study intervention device or history of serious adverse reactions;
• Severe arrhythmia, malignant hypertension, or severe dysfunction of vital organs (heart, liver, kidney, etc.);
• Individuals unable to participate in treatment due to severe hearing or visual impairment, or bilateral limb paralysis.

Where it is running

• The First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine — Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, China (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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