Electroacupuncture for poststroke spasticity (EAPSS): protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Spasticity is a common complication of stroke. Current therapies for poststroke spasticity (PSS) have been reported to be associated with high costs, lack of long-term benefit and unwanted adverse events (AEs). Electroacupuncture (EA) has been used for PSS, however, its efficacy and safety is yet to be confirmed by high-quality clinical studies. This study is designed to evaluate the add-on effects and safety profile of EA when used in combination with usual care (UC).

Methods and analysis

This study is a parallel group randomised controlled trial. A total of 136 participants will be included and randomly assigned to either the treatment group (EA plus UC) or the control group (UC alone). Prior to the main trial, a pilot study involving 30 participants will be c

SUBMITTER: Cai Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5855476 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature