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This study aims to compare the improvement effects of the rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy group with the rTMS combined with scalp acupuncture and conventional rehabilitation therapy group. Through statistical analysis of the results obtained from functional near-infrared spectroscopy technology during task states, the investigators elucidate the neuroregulatory mechanism of scalp acupuncture combined with rTMS in improving upper limb motor function in stroke patients under MEP localization, and provide evidence for a more optimal rehabilitation program for post-stroke upper limb motor dysfunction.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| control group | Active Comparator | Repeat transcranial magnetic stimulation and conventional treatment |
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| experimental group | Experimental | Repeat transcranial magnetic stimulation and scalp acupuncture and conventional treatment |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation | Device | Transcranial magnetic stimulation applied a figure-8 coil to the premotor area at 80%-100% of the healthy-side MEP threshold. Treatment lasted 20 min in two phases: weeks 1-2 on the ipsilateral M1 (1Hz, 10s on/5s off), and weeks 3-4 on the contralateral M1 (10Hz, 3s on/12s off). Treat once a day, 5 days a week, for a total of 4 weeks. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum amplitude of motor evoked potential | It refers to the potential difference between the peak and trough of the motor evoked potential, reflecting the excitability of the cerebral cortex and neural pathways. It is detected using an RD-CCY type TMS stimulator in conjunction with a Viking Quest 4-channel surface electromyography recorder from the American company Neuropad. | One day before treatment, four weeks after treatment |
| Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities | It is a widely used standardized assessment tool in the rehabilitation of upper limb motor dysfunction after stroke. The FMA divides upper limb motor function into multiple dimensions, including reflex activity, coordinated movement, isolated movement, wrist and hand function, through systematic scoring items. A total of 33 items are included. Each item is scored on a 3-point scale (0-2 points), with a total score of 66 (upper limb part). Higher scores indicate better recovery of upper limb motor function. | One day before treatment, four weeks after treatment |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Action Research Arm Test | It includes 4 parts: grasping, holding, pinching, and gross motor function, with a total of 19 items. Each item is scored on a 4-point scale (0-3 points), with a total of 57 points. The higher the score, the better the recovery of upper limb motor function. | One day before treatment, four weeks after treatment |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debiao Kong | Contact | +8618334350769 | 1372599678@qq.com |
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| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University | Hangzhou | Zhejiang | 310000 | China |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41769053 | Derived | Kong D, Huang X, Zhang S, Chen K, Gao H, Xie H. MEP-Guided Scalp Acupuncture Combined with Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Post-Stroke Upper Extremity Motor Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Study Protocol. Int J Gen Med. 2026 Feb 24;19:582719. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S582719. eCollection 2026. |
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| Scalp acupuncture | Procedure | Scalp acupuncture selected bilateral upper-limb cortical MEP points (2 points total). The healthy-side hot spot was identified first; if the affected side had no MEP, its mirror point was used. Needles were inserted from point A (affected) to B (healthy) and beyond along the AB line. After insertion, needles were rotated for 2-3 min, manipulated every 10 min, and retained for 30 min. Treat once a day, 5 days a week, for a total of 4 weeks. |
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| Conventional rehabilitation treatment | Combination Product | Conventional drug therapy included secondary stroke prevention, neurotrophy, and improved cerebral circulation. Routine rehabilitation involved exercise, occupational, and physical therapies, with a total daily treatment time of 90 minutes. |
|
| Modified Barthel Index |
It is used to assess patients' ability to perform activities of daily living. It includes 10 items: eating, dressing, using the toilet, defecating, urinating, grooming, bathing, climbing stairs, transferring, and walking. The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better ability to perform activities of daily living. A score of >60 indicates that the patient can live independently. |
| One day before treatment, four weeks after treatment |
| Functional near-infrared spectroscopy | Data were collected using a 35-channel fNIRS imaging device, NirSmart (HuiChuang, China), during resting state and scalp acupuncture stimulation. The device includes 17 light source probes and 14 detection probes, forming 35 effective channels in the experimental design, covering the forehead, bilateral frontal lobes, and motor areas. Continuous wave, near-infrared wavelength (760-850nm) signals were used with a sampling frequency of 11Hz, allowing real-time and effective monitoring of changes in the concentration of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin in the healthy side of the subject's brain. Based on coordinate information, the 35 channels were divided into five regions of interest in the left and right cerebral cortexes of the subject, namely the bilateral motor area, bilateral temporal lobe and forehead. | One day before treatment, two weeks after treatment, four weeks after treatment |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D020521 | Stroke |
| D000068079 | Motor Disorders |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D002561 | Cerebrovascular Disorders |
| D001927 | Brain Diseases |
| D002493 | Central Nervous System Diseases |
| D009422 | Nervous System Diseases |
| D014652 | Vascular Diseases |
| D002318 | Cardiovascular Diseases |
| D001523 | Mental Disorders |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D050781 | Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D055909 | Magnetic Field Therapy |
| D013812 | Therapeutics |
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