A Study on the Preventive Effect of Electroacupuncture Combined With Dexmedetomidine in Post-stro… (NCT07739329) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingPhase 4
A Study on the Preventive Effect of Electroacupuncture Combined With Dexmedetomidine in Post-stroke Depression
231 participantsStarted 2026-08-01
Plain-language summary
Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common neuropsychiatric complication following stroke and has emerged as a major public health concern due to its adverse impact on post-stroke prognosis. Clinical studies have confirmed that early intervention with electroacupuncture can significantly reduce PSD incidence and alleviate depressive severity. Mechanistically, electroacupuncture exerts antidepressant effects through inhibition of the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway and attenuation of neuronal apoptosis. Dexmedetomidine, a highly selective α₂-adrenergic receptor agonist, not only provides sedation and analgesia but also confers neuroprotective actions, including anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and blood-brain barrier protective effects. Its efficacy in preventing postpartum depression has been clinically validated. Given the substantial burden of PSD and the limitations of existing preventive approaches, the present study aims to investigate the value of a combined electroacupuncture and dexmedetomidine strategy for PSD prevention, with the goal of developing a safe and effective integrative treatment regimen for this frequent post-stroke complication.
Who can participate
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:
* Ischemic stroke with a disease course of less than 2 weeks;
* Patients with high-risk PSD;
* The patient can accept the treatment plan described in this trial and sign the informed consent form.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Cognitive impairment;
* Severe aphasia or significant language impairment;
* Disturbance of consciousness;
* History of psychiatric disorders, including but not limited to depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder;
* Alcohol or substance dependence;
* Use of sedatives or antipsychotic medications within 2 weeks prior to screening;
* Severe cardiac, hepatic, or renal dysfunction;
* Complicated with acute severe conditions or unstable vital signs;
* Pregnancy or lactation;
* Contraindications or intolerance to electroacupuncture;
* Sick sinus syndrome, severe bradycardia (heart rate \< 50 bpm), second-degree or higher atrioventricular block, permanent pacemaker implantation, severe heart failure, or ejection fraction \< 30%;
* Known allergy to any of the study medications;
* Inability to complete the study procedures due to any unavoidable circumstances.
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.