NEURO-MODULATORY EFFECT OF ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE ON COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME IN POST STROKE PATIENTS

NCT07869667 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: P.T.REC/012/006119
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Improvement in pain and range of motion (ROM) outcomes for stroke cases suffering from complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) can be attained through Electro-acupuncture therapy, which in turn improve functional independence and reduces financial strain on both patients and their families.

Conditions

Stroke

Keywords

Stroke; Complex Regional Pain Syndrome; Electro-acupuncture

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Visual analogue scale

  Subjective pain assessment

  4 weeks

• Kinovea-based measurement for shoulder flexion

  Shoulder flexion range of motion (ROM) assessment was conducted using Kinovea-2020 software following a standardized protocol

  4 weeks

• Arabic version of DASH questionnaire

  Designed to quantify functional limitations and symptoms affecting the arm, shoulder, and hand region

  4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Group A

EXPERIMENTAL

Consisted of 20 patients who received a selected physical therapy program and electroacupuncture. The treatment was conducted for four weeks, three sessions weekly for 12 sessions

Other: Electroacupuncture; Other: Conventional physical therapy program

Group B

EXPERIMENTAL

Consisted of 20 cases who received the same selected physical therapy program only, for four weeks, three sessions weekly for 12 sessions.

Other: Conventional physical therapy program

Interventions

Electroacupuncture OTHER

Sterile, single-use stainless-steel acupuncture needles (0.25 × 30 mm) were inserted at six acupoints on the affected side: TE14., SI9., and GB21(shoulder region); LI11 and TE5 (elbow and forearm); and TE2 (dorsum of the hand)

Group A

Conventional physical therapy program OTHER

(1) passive and active-assisted range of motion exercises (5-10 repetitions per movement, 10-15 second holds) (2) desensitization techniques using graded textures (cotton, sponge, Velcro, toothbrush), progressing from light touch to deep pressure, combined with contrast baths (3) therapeutic exercises, beginning with isometric strengthening and progressing to isotonic exercises as tolerated, followed by functional task-based activities targeting coordination and strength; (4) a structured stress-loading program involving active movement and joint compression, including quadruped scrubbing with the affected hand (5) heat therapy using hot packs for pain relief and (6) graded motor imagery, progressing through laterality training, explicit motor imagery, and mirror visual feedback. Each session began with a 5-minute warm-up and ended with a 5-minute cool-down.

Group A; Group B

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 45 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• The patients were diagnosed clinically and referred from a neurologist
• The study included cases who were 45 years old or more
• Ischemic stroke at least six months following the stroke, were receiving treatment at the outpatient clinic, and demonstrated satisfactory cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of more than 26), spasticity of the limbs ranging from grade 1+ (2) on a modified Ashworth scale, and a confirmed diagnosis of CRPS by clinical assessment by a neurologist using the Budapest criteria for diagnosis of CRPS.
• Unilateral upper-limb or shoulder pain persisting for at least four weeks and up to six months following the onset of stroke. Pain intensity rated ≥ 4/10 on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at rest or with active/passive shoulder movement.

You may not qualify if:

• Patients with current history of hand troubles and shoulder dysfunction before developing a stroke.
• Patients with overactive sympathetic system from other causes e.g. congestive heart failure, impaired kidney functions.
• Patients with significant musculoskeletal disorders which include rheumatoid arthritis or metabolic disorders comprising diabetes, Patients with cognitive impairments, Visual, auditory and speech problems and Patients with psychiatric disorders or seizures.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ahmed Alshimy: lead

Study Sites (1)

Al Ryada University for Science and Technology

Sadat, Menoufia, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stroke; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes

Interventions

Electroacupuncture

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Combined Modality Therapy; Therapeutics; Acupuncture Therapy; Complementary Therapies; Electric Stimulation Therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; Analgesia; Anesthesia and Analgesia; Anesthesia

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: FACTORIAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer of Physical Therapy for Neurology and its Surgery Faculty of Physical Therapy - Al Ryada University for Science and Technology

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 6, 2026
• First Posted: October 9, 2026
• Study Start: January 5, 2026
• Primary Completion: July 12, 2026
• Study Completion: August 24, 2026
• Last Updated: October 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

EG (1)