Clinical Study of Acupuncture Treatment for Post-Stroke Swallowing Difficulties Comparing Tongguan Liqiao and Conventional Acupuncture Methods A Multicenter Trial Using Randomized and Patient Preference Groups

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying post-stroke dysphagia difficulty swallowing after a stroke by examining the effects of acupuncture treatments. This study uses a nested design with two parts a prospective multicenter cohort study and an embedded partially randomized preference trial. The goal is to evaluate the clinical efficacy and health economic value of different acupuncture protocols combined with Western medicine, aiming to provide evidence-based guidance for treating this condition. The study includes two acupuncture approaches. One group receives the Tongguan Liqiao acupuncture method, following international and national standards for point selection and operation. The other group receives conventional acupuncture protocols specific to each research center. Patients with a preference for one method choose that group, while those without preference are randomly assigned to either group. Treatments focus on specific acupuncture points and follow strict protocols that cannot be altered once set. Participants will be enrolled between April 2026 and December 2027 and followed through the treatment period. Researchers will assess swallowing function as the primary outcome, measuring the proportion of participants responding to treatment within 14 days. Patients vital signs, ability to cooperate, and overall health will be monitored. The study emphasizes both clinical effects and the economic value of integrating acupuncture with Western medical treatments for post-stroke dysphagia.

Acupuncture for Post-Stroke Dysphagia: A Clinical Study