Dai 1997.

Methods	RCT Method of randomisation: not stated Blinding: not stated Adverse effects: not stated ITT analysis: not stated Losses to FU: not stated
Participants	Country: China Number of participants included: 136 (46/45/45) Demographics: aged 48‐86 years, 75% male Type of stroke: ischaemic only Diagnosis: WHO definition and all confirmed by CT Severity on entry: mild to severe Time from stroke onset: 3‐14 months Setting: unclear Comparability: unclear
Interventions	3 arms: acupuncture + WM acupuncture only WM only Comparison eligible: acupuncture + WM versus WM only Acupuncture treatment Acupuncture rationale: not stated Needling details: points used: both body and scalp (three temporal points) acupoints Numbers of points used: 5‐11 points Depths of insertion: 1.5‐2.0 inches Deqi elicited: yes Needle stimulation: manual Needle retention time: 30 minutes Needle type: stainless steel, gauge 26‐30#, length 2.0‐2.6 inches Treatment regimen: Number of treatment sessions: 30 sessions Frequency of treatment: 1 session/day Total course: 30 days Practitioner background: not stated Co‐intervention: aspirin 25 mg qd orally Control interventions: WM: aspirin 25 mg qd orally
Outcomes	Number of participants with improvement in global neurological deficit (CSRS 1 score decrease > 18%) at the end of treatment FU: 30 days
Notes	‐
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	The method of random sequence generation was not reported
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Information on allocation concealment was not reported
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Information on blinding was not reported
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Information on blinding was not reported
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Information on blinding was not reported
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Information on attrition was not reported
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Unclear risk	Free of selective reporting bias was assessed as 'unclear' due to some clinically important outcomes unstated, such as quality of life, mortality and adverse events
Other bias	Unclear risk	No information provided