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Tests acupuncture and scent therapy for memory problems after stroke

Tests electroacupuncture with smell therapy in stroke patients with cognitive impairment.

Key facts

Who runs it
Hangzhou Medical College
Where
Hangzhou, ChinaSee the site
Trial code
Registry title
the Clinical Effect of TCM Sniffing Therapy Combined With Electroacupuncture in PSCI
Status
Recruiting
People taking part
220 people, planned
Started
1 Apr 2024
Planned end
1 Jun 2025
Type of study
Interventional, 6 groupsOne group gets a sham (pretend) treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested
  • control
  • Electronuchal acupuncture group treatment
  • Smell therapy group treatment
  • Electronuchal acupuncture combined with smell and inhalation therapy group treatment
  • Sham stimulation
Record updated
20 February 2025

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for people under 70 who have had a stroke within the last 6 months and now have problems with thinking and memory.

Age
Under 70 years (up to 70 years).
Sex
All sexes can join.
Disease stage
Within 6 months after a stroke (cerebral infarction or cerebral hemorrhage), in the recovery period, with cognitive impairment. MMSE score below 17 for no schooling, below 20 for primary school, below 24 for middle school or higher.

Main reasons for not taking part

  • Transient ischemic attack or subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • Severe liver or kidney disease, mental illness, epilepsy, asthma, or obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Cognitive impairment before the stroke
  • Severe communication barriers
  • Pacemaker or other implanted electronic device

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 2 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • (1) Stroke as per the TCM definition, presenting symptoms include unilateral paresis or paralysis, sensory deficits, speech impairment, and hemianopsia. PSCI diagnosis involves clinically significant deficits in at least one cognitive domain and severe disruption of instrumental ADLs/ADLs.; (2) The scores on the MMSE scale must adhere to the following criteria: Less than 17 points for individuals with illiteracy, less than 20 points for those with primary school education, and less than 24 points for individuals with a middle school education or higher.; (3) Aged under 70 years; (4) No history of mental illness, clear consciousness, stable vital signs, and able to complete the scale assessment; (5) Within 6 months post-stroke, diagnosed as a patient in the recovery period of cerebral infarction (or cerebral hemorrhage) at admission; (6) Signed informed consent by the patient or their family

Who cannot take part

  • (1) Transient ischemic attack; (2) Subarachnoid hemorrhage; (3) History of severe liver or kidney diseases, mental illness, epilepsy, asthma, or obstructive pulmonary diseases; (4) Occurrence of cognitive impairment prior to stroke; (5) Severe communication barriers; (6) Substance abuse or heavy alcohol consumption; (7) Implanted cardiac pacemakers or other electronic devices

Where in China

  • the Affiliated Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital to Hangzhou Medical College.Hangzhou, ChinaContact: Xinyun Dr LI, DoctorTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

The patients with cognitive impairment after stroke were divided into control group, electroacupuncture group, olfactory therapy group, electroacupuncture combined with olfactory therapy group, and sham group with 35 people in each group. After the end of the treatment, the clinical efficacy was evaluated.

The 6 groups in the trial

  • controlNo study treatment, for comparison

    Donepezil hydrochloride was administered at 5 mg once a day (nightly) for 30 days without adverse reactions and then increased to 10 mg once a day (nightly) for 4 weeks.

  • Electronuchal acupuncture group treatmentTreatment being tested

    Use the neck needle to take the Fengchi and Gongxue on both sides (1.5cm directly below Fengchi point).

    Treatment: control and Electronuchal acupuncture group treatment

  • Smell therapy group treatmentTreatment being tested

    The volatile oil of Acorus calamus is packed in the sniffer. Smell at the sniffing end, breathe evenly, 5-10 minutes each time, 3-5 times a day, for a total of 4 weeks of treatment.

    Treatment: control and Smell therapy group treatment

  • The combined treatmentTreatment being tested

    The electro-neuchal acupuncture combined with sniffing and suction therapy group is treated with sniffing and suction therapy on the basis of electro-neuchal acupuncture treatment.

    Treatment: control and Electronuchal acupuncture combined with smell and inhalation therapy group treatment

  • normalOther group

    The volatile oil of Acorus calamus is packed in the sniffer. Smell at the sniffing end, breathe evenly, 5-10 minutes each time, 3-5 times a day, for a total of 4 weeks of treatment.

    Treatment: Smell therapy group treatment

  • Sham groupSham treatment, for comparison

    In the sham stimulation group, non-transdermal comfortable acupuncture will be used to make the patients experience a feeling similar to acupuncture.

    Treatment: Sham stimulation

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
the Clinical Effect of TCM Sniffing Therapy Combined With Electroacupuncture in the Treatment of Cognitive Impairment After Stroke
Plain-language title
Tests acupuncture and scent therapy for memory problems after strokeGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
Record updated
20 February 2025