Phase 3 RCT of Electroacupuncture at Jing-Well Points for Chronic Disorder of Consciousness
Summary
NIH registered a Phase 3 randomized controlled trial (NCT07551076) studying electroacupuncture at Twelve Hand Jing-Well points for chronic disorders of consciousness (DOC). The trial will enroll patients with DOC lasting more than 28 days following severe central nervous system injury, a condition affecting 300,000–800,000 patients worldwide with 29%–50% annual mortality. The study uses electrostimulation as the sole intervention and will employ multimodal assessment to evaluate efficacy, mechanisms, and suitable patient populations.
“Acupuncture, such as the Xingnao Kaiqiao method, induces arousal by improving cerebral blood flow and activating neural networks.”
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What changed
A new Phase 3 randomized controlled trial registration for electroacupuncture at Jing-Well points has been added to ClinicalTrials.gov. The study targets chronic disorders of consciousness lasting more than 28 days following severe central nervous system injury, a condition with limited treatment options and poor outcomes. Researchers and healthcare providers conducting or referring patients to similar studies should note this trial's emphasis on standardized multimodal assessment and large-sample evidence generation. No compliance obligations arise from this registry entry, but clinical teams managing DOC patients may wish to monitor enrollment eligibility criteria for potential referral pathways.
This registry entry does not impose regulatory obligations on healthcare providers or institutions. However, the trial's focus on a patient population with high mortality (29%–50% annually) and its investigation of electroacupuncture—already used in preliminary studies showing improved consciousness outcomes—may signal growing clinical interest in non-pharmacological neuromodulation approaches for severe brain injury. Institutions with traumatic brain injury programs should review whether their current DOC management protocols align with emerging evidence from trials like this one.
Archived snapshot
Apr 24, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Electroacupuncture at Jing-Well Points for Chronic Disorders of Consciousness: A Randomized Controlled Study With Multimodal Assessment
Phase 3 NCT07551076 Kind: PHASE3 Apr 24, 2026
Abstract
Disorder of consciousness (DOC) is a common complication of severe central nervous system injury. It is defined as prolonged DOC when lasting more than 28 days. About 300,000-800,000 patients are affected worldwide, with an annual mortality rate of 29%-50%, causing a heavy social and family burden.
Although progress has been made in pathophysiology, clinical outcomes remain unsatisfactory, and arousal treatment for DOC is still challenging. Internationally recommended therapies, such as neurotrophic drugs, hyperbaric oxygen and invasive neuromodulation, have side effects or uncertain efficacy.
In traditional Chinese medicine, post-TBI DOC is classified as "shen hun" (mental clouding). Bloodletting at Jing-Well points promotes arousal by regulating qi and blood and unblocking collaterals. Preliminary studies showed it may improve consciousness in DOC patients, but with small samples and short observation periods.
Acupuncture, such as the Xingnao Kaiqiao method, induces arousal by improving cerebral blood flow and activating neural networks. Our team proposed the "Jing-Well point-brain correlation" hypothesis and found that electrostimulation at Jing-Well points improves cognitive function, but lacks standardized assessment and large-sample evidence.
Further research is needed to confirm its efficacy, mechanisms and suitable populations to provide high-quality evidence-based support.
Conditions: Disorder of Consciousness
Interventions: Electrostimulation at the Twelve Hand Jing-Well Points
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