Post-stroke aphasia (PSA) is a prevalent and debilitating condition that significantly impairs communication, social participation, and quality of life, often leading to increased long-term healthcare costs and psychological burden. While speech therapy is the recommended standard of care, many patients face limitations in recovery, prompting exploration into integrative approaches. Traditional medicine, particularly electroacupuncture, has shown potential in enhancing neuro-functional recovery; however, further evidence is needed to optimize its integration with standard rehabilitative protocols. This study evaluates the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture at the Xuanzhong (GB39) and Tongli (HT5) acupoints combined with standardized speech therapy, aiming to improve language outcomes and patient quality of life.
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture at the Xuanzhong (GB39) and Tongli (HT5) acupoints combined with speech therapy in patients with post-stroke aphasia, aged 18 to 75. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does electroacupuncture at the Xuanzhong and Tongli acupoints, combined with speech therapy and standard treatment, improve language recovery more effectively than the standard protocol alone, as measured by the BDAE and ART scales? * Does this combined approach significantly improve the quality of life (SAQOL-39) and correlate with functional language recovery in post-stroke patients?
Researchers will compare the intervention group (electroacupuncture at Xuanzhong and Tongli combined with basic treatment and speech therapy) to a control group (electroacupuncture at other acupoints combined with basic treatment and speech therapy) to see if the specific acupoint combination enhances language rehabilitation.
Participants will:
* Undergo 4 weeks of electroacupuncture (once daily, 5 days per week) and speech therapy sessions. * Complete assessments of language function (BDAE, ART) and quality of life (SAQOL-39) at baseline, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months. * Be monitored for any adverse effects, such as local pain, bleeding, bruising, or needle fainting, throughout the trial period.
Age: 18 to 75 years.
Diagnosis: Diagnosed with post-stroke aphasia (PSA) based on the Ministry of Health criteria or ICD-10 codes (I60-I64).
Cognitive and Functional State: Alert and able to cooperate with the treatment.
Language Assessment: Aphasia classified as moderate or mild according to the BDAE scale (scores 2-4).
Non-Stroke Related Aphasia: Pre-existing aphasia or aphasia not caused by a stroke.
Severe Comorbidities: Severe heart, liver, or kidney failure.
Psychiatric/Cognitive Disorders: Diagnosed dementia or other mental health conditions.
Medical Contraindications: Presence of a pacemaker.