Evaluating Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation at Hand Jing-Well Points for Adults With Disorders of Consciousness After Brain Injury

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating treatments for disorders of consciousness DoC caused by severe brain injury, conditions where patients have limited or no awareness. Current treatments like amantadine and transcranial direct current stimulation have shown mixed results. Traditional bloodletting puncture therapy at the hand twelve Jing-Well points has been used in China but lacks solid evidence. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a modern, noninvasive method called transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation TEAS at these points in adults with DoC. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive TEAS at the twelve Jing-Well points on the hand twice daily for 14 consecutive days, alongside standard care or rehabilitation. The other group will receive sham placebo electrical stimulation on the same points with the same schedule, also combined with conventional treatment. This double-blind trial will compare these two approaches to determine if TEAS improves consciousness. During the study, participants will have their consciousness levels assessed using the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised CRS-R after 7 and 14 days of treatment. Researchers will also evaluate changes in ABCD model classification and functional outcomes at 3 and 6 months using the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended GOSE. Safety will be monitored by tracking any adverse events during treatment and follow-up. The total recruitment period is planned for 28 months, with ongoing assessments throughout and after treatment.

Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation at Jing-Well Points for Disorders of Consciousness