Sun 2015.

Methods	RCT Method of randomisation: randomisation by using envelopes Blinding: not stated Adverse effects: none ITT analysis: not stated Losses to FU: not stated
Participants	Country: China Number of participants included: 93 (31/31/31) Demographics: aged 60‐95 years, 47% male Type of stroke: unclear Diagnosis: WHO definition Severity on entry: not stated Time from stroke onset: 9‐46 months Setting: inpatient and outpatient Comparability: no significant difference in age, comorbidity, or time post onset
Interventions	3 arms: acupuncture only WM only acupuncture + WM Comparison eligible: acupuncture + WM versus WM only Acupuncture treatment Acupuncture rationale: not stated Needling details Points used: both body and scalp acupoints Numbers of points used: 6 body acupoints, 3 scalp acupoints Depths of insertion: not stated Deqi elicited: yes Needle stimulation: manual Needle retention time: 30 minutes Needle type: hua tuo brand, length 1.57 inches Treatment regimen Number of treatment sessions: 120 sessions Frequency of treatment: 5 sessions/week Total course: 24 weeks Practitioner background: not stated Co‐intervention: WM Control interventions: WM
Outcomes	Improvement of depression (HAMD) Adverse event
Notes	‐
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Low risk	Randomisation by using envelopes assorted in a random manner
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	Some patient‐related outcomes were not reported, such as information on quality of life or all‐cause mortality
Other bias	Unclear risk	No information provided