Li 1997a.

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: 112 (42/20/50) Demographics: aged 24‐76 years Type of stroke: both ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes Diagnosis: WHO definition and all confirmed by CT or MRI Severity on entry: not stated Time from stroke onset: 1 month to 8.5 years Setting: inpatients Comparability: comorbidity and past history similar
Interventions	3 arms: acupuncture + PT and OT acupuncture only PT and OT Comparison eligible: acupuncture + PT and OT versus PT and OT Acupuncture treatment Acupuncture rationale: not stated Needling details Points used: both body and scalp acupoints Numbers of points used: 10‐12 points Depths of insertion: not stated Deqi elicited: unclear Needle stimulation: manual Needle retention time: 30 minutes Needle type: not stated Treatment regimen Number of treatment sessions: 72 sessions Frequency of treatment: 6 sessions/week Total course: 3 months Practitioner background: not stated Co‐intervention: baseline medication, PT and OT Control interventions: baseline medication plus PT and OT
Outcomes	Number of participants with improvement in global neurological deficit (CSRS 1 score) at the end of treatment FU: 3 months
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