Efficacy and Mechanism Study of Acupuncture Combined With Neuromodulation Technology for Post-Stroke Aphasia Based on Multimodal Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how acupuncture combined with neuromodulation techniques can help treat aphasia after a stroke. Aphasia is a serious condition affecting speech and language abilities due to brain damage from stroke, especially in the left cerebral hemisphere. The study aims to assess how effective the combined treatment of acupuncture and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is for improving language function and to explore the brain mechanisms involved in aphasia recovery. The trial has two parts. In the first part, participants are randomly assigned to two groups receiving either low-frequency rTMS followed by high-frequency rTMS or the reverse order. In the second part, participants are randomized into four groups: an experimental rTMS group with personalized treatment based on brain imaging and behavior, a standard rTMS control group, an electroacupuncture group receiving electrical stimulation at specific acupuncture points, and a group receiving both rTMS and electroacupuncture combined. Treatments are given five times a week for two weeks, with session durations ranging from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the intervention. During the study, participants undergo evaluations before treatment, immediately after the two-week intervention, and at 1, 2, and 3 months post-treatment. Assessments include language and communication tests such as the Western Aphasia Battery, Token Test, Boston Naming Test, and quality of life measurements. Brain imaging with multimodal MRI is also performed to study neural changes. The study includes safety monitoring and aims to understand both the therapeutic effects and the underlying brain function changes related to language recovery.

Acupuncture + Neuromodulation for Post-Stroke Aphasia