Electroacupuncture to Assist Ventilator Weaning in Severe Stroke

Inclusion Criteria: 1. age ≥ 18 years and ≤ 75 years ; 2. within 7 days after the onset of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic), confirmed by a computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain; 3. GCS on admission ≤ 12 or NIHSS on admission ≥ 11 or APACHEⅡ ≥ 15; 4. received mechanical ventilation; 5. written informed consent is able to be obtained directly from the patient or an appropriate surrogate, based on local ethics committee recommendations. Exclusion Criteria: 1. expected to be ventilated for \< 24 h; 2. already ventilated for \> 72 h; 3. GCS \<5; 4. with unstable vital signs and requiring the use of vasoactive agents; 5. concomitant medical illness that would interfere with the outcome assessments and/or follow-up; 6. had spinal cord injury above T8 level, or lower motor neuron impairment, or neuromuscular junction impairment，or chest wall deformities, or chest wall injuries within 6 months, or chest or abdominal surgery within 4 week, or were pregnant; 7. had acute skin injury on the selected acupoints; 8. currently participating in other investigational trials.