Effects of Different-Frequency Electroacupuncture on Suprahyoid Muscles in Post-Stroke Dysphagia:… (NCT07496762) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Effects of Different-Frequency Electroacupuncture on Suprahyoid Muscles in Post-Stroke Dysphagia: Efficacy and Neural Networks
China90 participantsStarted 2026-04-21
Plain-language summary
This randomized controlled study in patients with post-stroke dysphagia aims to determine the optimal stimulation frequency of electroacupuncture of the suprahyoid muscles and to elucidate the underlying neural mechanisms. Participants will be assigned to low-frequency (2 Hz), medium-frequency (50 Hz), or high-frequency (100 Hz) electroacupuncture groups. Therapeutic efficacy will be assessed using the Kubota water-drinking test, videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), and ultrasonography to identify the optimal frequency. In parallel, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) will be used to evaluate changes in fiber connectivity between swallowing-related cortical regions (bilateral precentral gyrus, insula, supramarginal gyrus, and frontal lobe) and the medullary nucleus tractus solitarius, thereby exploring neural network remodeling and providing mechanistic evidence to inform clinical practice.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 80 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:
* Diagnosis: Patients diagnosed with cerebral infarction confirmed by CT or MRI.
* Dysphagia Screening: Presence of varying degrees of dysphagia as screened by the Water Swallow Test (WST).
* Clinical Status: Conscious and stable vital signs, with the ability to cooperate with the treatment.
* Age: Aged between 18 and 80 years.
* Consent: Signed informed consent form obtained from the patient or their legal representative.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Dysphagia Etiology: Patients with dysphagia caused by etiologies other than cerebral infarction.
* MRI Contraindications: Patients with metal implants or pacemakers in the body (contraindications for MRI).
* Bleeding Risk: Patients with bleeding tendencies or coagulation disorders.
* Blood Pressure: Patients with uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure \> 180 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure \> 120 mmHg).
* Organ Failure: Patients with severe failure of vital organs (e.g., heart, liver, or kidney failure).
* Disease Severity: Patients with critical or life-threatening stroke conditions.
* Cooperation: Patients unable to cooperate with the treatment due to severe cognitive impairment, aphasia, or other reasons.
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.