Thread Embedding vs. Electroacupuncture for Post-Stroke Aphasia

Catgut Thread Embedding involved implanting chromic catgut size 4.0 thread, which is attached to a 23G guide needle, into subcutaneous tissue at EX-HN21 acupoint. The guide needle was removed after insertion, while the thread remained and dissolved over 10-15 days to provide continuous stimulation.

Electroacupuncture was administered using four needles (0.3 × 25 mm, diameter × length) inserted at GV-20, EX-HN21, external EX-HN12, and external EX-HN13 acupoints. Electrical stimulation was delivered via the KWD-808I Multipurpose Health Device (Changzhou Yingdi Electronic Medical Device Co., China) with parameters set at 3 Hz frequency and 0.6 ms pulse width, the intensity was adjusted according to the patient's perception. Electroacupuncture was performed daily, except on Saturdays, Sundays, and Vietnamese national holidays, over a treatment course of 30 days.