Effect of EA Combined With NGF on Limb Function in Convalescent Patients With Ischemic Stroke

The Third Affiliated hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University120 enrolled

Overview

Most ischemic stroke patients are in recovery phase, often accompanied by motor impairment, but they lack effective treatment. The appearance of nerve growth factor (NGF) promotes the development of neuroprotective therapy, but it has little effect on stroke because of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Electroacupuncture (EA) has been used for stroke, while there is no significant clinical effect for recovery phrase. Consequently, we will conduct a multicentre, randomised, controlled, assessor-blinded clinical trial to assess the effectiveness and safety of EA combined with NGF treatment on ischemic stroke recovery.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

120

Conditions

Ischemic Stroke

Interventions

The patient first received an intramuscular injection of NGF or saline into the gluteus maximus.The 20ug nerve growth factor (NO.S20060051, Jinlujie) will be obtained from Hiteck Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Wuhan, China. mNGF will be dissolved in 1 ml sterile water for injection and then injected intramuscularly at gluteal muscle, once a day for 4 weeks. Dose modification is not allowed for mNGF.

EADEVICE

Patients take supine position. After skin disinfection with 75% ethanol routine disinfection, the stainless needle (size 0.25mm×40mm, Hua Tuo brand, Suzhou Medical Supplies Company Ltd in Jiangsu, China) will be inserted in GV20（Baihui) and the stainless needle(size 0.25mm×25mm, described above) will be inserted in GV26 (Shuigou), acupoints will be stimulated manually until patients feel soreness, distension or heaviness (the reaction of "De Qi"). Then, the needles are stimulated by using an acupuncture point nerve stimulator (HANS-200, Nanjing Jinsheng, Ltd., China) with a frequency of 2/100 Hz and an intensity of 3 mA for 40 min (a homemade relay cycled power to the electrode for 6 sec on and 6 sec off), 28 days as a course of treatment, once a day.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 50 YearsMax age: 80 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * people with first-ever ischemic stroke confirmed by CT or/and MRI; * 14 days to 6 months after stroke onset; * 50 years≤aged≤80 years; * 3≤modified Rankin Score (mRS)≤4; * Patients can accept treatment with EA and have good compliance; * Patients have clear consciousness, pain perception and resolution ability to complete basic communication; * willing to participate and be randomized to one of the groups. Exclusion Criteria: * transient ischemic attack, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral hemorrhage and other cerebrovascular diseases; * severe heart, liver, kidney dysfunction and severe coagulation dysfunction; cerebral infarction caused by repeated recurrence of stroke, brain surgery or trauma, and brain tumors; * severe neurological deficits before stroke, such as visual and auditory impairment, aphasia, agnosia, severe hemiplegia, or affected limb function before stroke, such as cerebral palsy, polio, fracture, and mRs≥1; * diseases with affecting cognitive function such as congenital dementia, or alcohol, drug or substance abuse ; * lactation, pregnancy or intend to be pregnant within 6 months; * needlesickness, needle phobia and skin infection at acupuncture site; * pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator carriers or conductive metallic foreign bodies in the body; * allergy to NGF; * currently enrolled in another clinical trial or participation in other clinical trials within the last 3 months.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

the modified Rankin Score

the modified Rankin Score is a common indicator to evaluate motor function in stroke patients.The modified Rankin Score ranges from 0 to 6, and the more severe the neurological deficit, the higher the score.

Time frame: the end of treatment (week 4) in all four groups.

Secondary Outcomes

Fugl-Meyer Assessment of motor function score (FMA)

Fugl-Meyer Assessment of motor function score (FMA) is a common indicator to evaluate motor function.simplified Fugl-Meyer Assessment of motor function score sums up a total score (maximum 100 points ), including an assessment of the upper extremity (maximum 66 points) and lower extremity (maximum 34 points).

Time frame: Fugl-Meyer Assessment of motor function score (FMA) is recorded at baseline (week 0), Mid-term treatment (week 2) and end of treatment (week 4) in all four groups.

Modified Barthel Index (MBI)

Modified Barthel Index (MBI) is a common indicator to evaluate motor function.The maximum total score of Modified Barthel Index is 100, with a higher score meaning less dependent to help.

Time frame: Modified Barthel Index (MBI) is recorded at baseline (week 0), Mid-term treatment (week 2) and end of treatment (week 4) in all four groups.

timed up and go test (TUGT)

timed up and go test (TUGT) is a common indicator to evaluate motor function.In the timed up and go test, each patient is asked to stand up from an armchair at height 45 cm, walk a distance of 3 m, turn, walk back to the chair, and sit back down in chair . With interval of one minute rest, a patient is required to repeat the test three times to take its mean for statistical analysis.

Time frame: timed up and go test (TUGT) is recorded at baseline (week 0), Mid-term treatment (week 2) and end of treatment (week 4) in all four groups.

Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA)

Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) is a common indicator to evaluate motor function.POMA scale can be used to assess the balance with B-POMA including nine components (sitting balance, arises, attempts to arise, immediate standing balance, standing balance, nudged, eyes closed, turning 360 , and sitting down; maximum 16 points) and to evaluate the gait with G-POMA including seven components (initiation of gait, step length, step symmetry, step continuity, path, trunk, and walking stance; maximum 12 points) . A patient with POMA scored less than 24 points suggets balance dysfunction and scored less than 15 points indicates danger of falling.

Time frame: Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) is recorded at baseline (week 0), Mid-term treatment (week 2) and end of treatment (week 4) in all four groups.