Laser Acupuncture Improves Constipation in Patients Hospitalized for Stroke During the COVID-19 P… (NCT05002348) | Clinical Trial Compass
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Laser Acupuncture Improves Constipation in Patients Hospitalized for Stroke During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Taiwan100 participantsStarted 2020-12-01
Plain-language summary
With the aging of today's population, stroke is the top three causes of disability and death among people over the age of 60 in the world. About 5.5 million people die each year from strokes in Taiwan, and Taiwan's top ten causes of death in cerebrovascular disease rank fourth in the world. Constipation is the most common complication of stroke patients and increases the risk of brain damage and re-stroke. Although the clinical use of drugs can relieve intestinal symptoms, there is also a risk of potential side effects. The systematic literature points out that the use of acupoint stimulation can improve spontaneous bowel movements and promote bowel motility, but there is no conclusion on effective acupuncture points. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to improve the constipation of patients with stroke by non-invasive and precise acupoint care.
This study used a single-blind randomized control trial. The neurosurgery ward of a medical center in the north was used as the research site, and patients with ischemic stroke were used as the research objects. The experimental group received precision acupoint care, and the control group received routine care. The questionnaire was used to collect basic patient information (basic attributes, disease care and TCM constitution), and gut-related assessments. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 22.0 software for descriptive statistical analysis and inferential statistical analysis, and p \<.05 was considered to have statistical significance.
Who can participate
Age range
20 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Patients who are twenty years old and above, diagnosed with ischemic stroke combined with constipation.
* A clear awareness and can communicate in national, Taiwanese, and Hakka languages.
* The score on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) developed by the National Institutes of Health is ≦15.
* Patients who are willing to participate in this study and sign a consent form.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients undergoing intravenous injection of thrombolytic agent combined tissue plasminogen activator (r-TPA), arterial thrombectomy (IA thrombectomy).
* Imaging shows patients with brainstem stroke.
* Patients who have installed cardiac rhythm devices or ventricular-abdominal shunt surgery.
* Patients with abnormal coagulation function (with obvious spontaneous bleeding).
* Patients with malignant tumors.
* Patients with abnormal skin or obvious trauma at the location of acupuncture points.
* There are patients who have undergone surgery on their abdomen.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Explore the effect of acupoint stimulation on constipation in stroke patients.