Effects of synchronous versus sequential scalp acupuncture and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on post-stroke cognitive impairment based on multimodal assessments: a single-center randomized controlled trial protocol
- 1College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- 2Department of Rehabilitation, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Abstract
Background: Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) significantly burdens individuals and society. While scalp acupuncture and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) show promise for alleviating cognitive deficits, the optimal temporal sequence of their combined delivery remains uncertain. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of synchronous versus sequential delivery of scalp acupuncture and taVNS for PSCI, and explore central-peripheral neuromodulatory responses associated with intervention timing via multimodal assessment.
Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled trial will allocate 96 eligible PSCI patients equally into three groups. All receive conventional treatment alongside scalp acupuncture and taVNS. The synchronous group undergoes concurrent acupuncture and taVNS. Control Group 1 receives acupuncture followed by taVNS, while Control Group 2 receives taVNS followed by acupuncture. Treatments are administered once daily, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. To assess the impact of temporal sequencing, multimodal data will be compared at baseline, week 4, and week 8 follow-up. Assessments encompass cognitive function (MoCA, MMSE), activities of daily living (MBI), neuroimaging (rs-fMRI), neuroelectrophysiology (ERP-P300), cerebral hemodynamics (TCD), and adverse events.
Discussion: Results are expected to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and safety of synchronous versus sequential scalp acupuncture-taVNS delivery for PSCI. Furthermore, findings may help explore the temporal dynamics of neuromodulation across brain networks, neural electrical activity, and cerebral hemodynamics, contributing to the evidence base for standardizing integrative Chinese-western cognitive rehabilitation protocols.
Clinical trial registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/ , Identifier [ChiCTR2600125558].
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BibTeX
@article{wei2026effects,
title = {{Effects of synchronous versus sequential scalp acupuncture and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on post-stroke cognitive impairment based on multimodal assessments: a single-center randomized controlled trial protocol}},
author = {Jingyi Wei and Xihua Liu and Zhipeng Pan and Chen Wei and Ran Wang and Xiaojing Wang and Sai Ma},
journal = {Frontiers in Neurology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fneur.2026.1931213},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2026.1931213/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effects of synchronous versus sequential scalp acupuncture and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on post-stroke cognitive impairment based on multimodal assessments: a single-center randomized controlled trial protocol
AU - Jingyi Wei
AU - Xihua Liu
AU - Zhipeng Pan
AU - Chen Wei
AU - Ran Wang
AU - Xiaojing Wang
AU - Sai Ma
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/20
JO - Frontiers in Neurology
DO - 10.3389/fneur.2026.1931213
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2026.1931213/full
AB - Background: Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) significantly burdens individuals and society. While scalp acupuncture and transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) show promise for alleviating cognitive deficits, the optimal temporal sequence of their combined delivery remains uncertain. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of synchronous versus sequential delivery of scalp acupuncture and taVNS for PSCI, and explore central-peripheral neuromodulatory responses associated with intervention timing via multimodal assessment. Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled trial will allocate 96 eligible PSCI patients equally into three groups. All receive conventional treatment alongside scalp acupuncture and taVNS. The synchronous group undergoes concurrent acupuncture and taVNS. Control Group 1 receives acupuncture followed by taVNS, while Control Group 2 receives taVNS followed by acupuncture. Treatments are administered once daily, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. To assess the impact of temporal sequencing, multimodal data will be compared at baseline, week 4, and week 8 follow-up. Assessments encompass cognitive function (MoCA, MMSE), activities of daily living (MBI), neuroimaging (rs-fMRI), neuroelectrophysiology (ERP-P300), cerebral hemodynamics (TCD), and adverse events. Discussion: Results are expected to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and safety of synchronous versus sequential scalp acupuncture-taVNS delivery for PSCI. Furthermore, findings may help explore the temporal dynamics of neuromodulation across brain networks, neural electrical activity, and cerebral hemodynamics, contributing to the evidence base for standardizing integrative Chinese-western cognitive rehabilitation protocols. Clinical trial registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/ , Identifier [ChiCTR2600125558].
SN - 1664-2295
ER -