Wei 1995.

Methods	RCT Method of randomisation: not stated Allocation concealment: not stated Blinding: not stated ITT analysis: not stated Losses to follow‐up: none
Participants	Country: China 66 participants with acute ischaemic stroke within 48 hours (33 treatment, 33 control); all had brain CT scan proven Sex: treatment: 30 males, 3 females; control: all males Age: treatment: 55 to 75 years, 62.3 ± 4.6 years; control: 48 to 80 years, 63 ± 5.2 years Comparability: stroke severity similar
Interventions	Treatment: ECP 1 hour once daily with therapeutic pressure (about 290 to 330 mmHg) for 24 days plus dextran 40 and venoruton for 28 days Control: dextran 40 and venoruton for 28 days
Outcomes	Number of participants with neurological improvement (MESSS score decrease > 45%) at the end of the treatment period (28 days)
Notes	Duration of ECP therapy: 24 days
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Random allocation was reported but the method of randomisation was not described
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Not stated
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Not stated
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Not stated
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Low risk	No missing outcome data
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Unclear risk	The study protocol was not available, and we were not sure of any selective reporting of the results
Other bias	Unclear risk	There was Insufficient information to assess whether an important risk of bias exists

CT: computerised tomography 
 ECP: external counterpulsation 
 ITT: intention‐to‐treat 
 MESSS: Modified Edinburgh‐Scandinavian Stroke Scale 
 RCT: randomised controlled trial