Effect of Specific Mode Electroacupuncture Stimulation Combined with NGF on Dysphagia After Ischaemic Stroke: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

The 20ug mouse nerve growth factor (NO. S20060051, Jinlujie) will be obtained from Hiteck Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Wuhan, China. mNGF will be dissolved in 2 ml of sterile water for injection and then injected intramuscularly into the gluteal muscle, three times a week for 6 weeks.

Patients will receive 2ml volume of physiological saline (PS) injected intramuscularly into the gluteal muscle, three times a week for 6 weeks.

"Patients take supine position. After skin disinfection with 75% ethanol routine disinfection, the stainless needle (size 0.25mm×40mm, Hwato brand, Suzhou Medical Supplies Company Ltd in Jiangsu, China) will be inserted in GV20（Baihui) and the stainless needle(size 0.25mm×25mm, described above) will be inserted in GV26 (Shuigou), acupoints will be stimulated manually until patients feel soreness, distension or heaviness (the reaction of De Qi). Then, the needles are stimulated by using an acupuncture point nerve stimulator (HANS-200, Nanjing Jisheng, Ltd., China) with a frequency of 2/100 Hz and an intensity of patient can tolerate, targeting a current strength of 3.0mA, for 40 min (a homemade relay cycled power to the electrode for 6 sec on and 6 sec off), three times a week for 6 weeks."

"Patients take supine position. After skin disinfection with 75% ethanol routine disinfection, the stainless needle (size 0.25mm×40mm, Hwato brand, Suzhou Medical Supplies Company Ltd in Jiangsu, China) will be inserted in GV20（Baihui) and the stainless needle(size 0.25mm×25mm, described above) will be inserted in GV26 (Shuigou), acupoints will be stimulated manually until patients feel soreness, distension or heaviness (the reaction of De Qi). Then, the needles are connected to an acupuncture point nerve stimulator (HANS-200, Nanjing Jisheng, Ltd., China) without closed circuit, with a frequency of 2/100 Hz and an intensity of 3 mA for 40 min (a homemade relay cycled power to the electrode for 6 sec on and 6 sec off), three times a week for 6 weeks."