Zhu 2007.

Methods	RCT Method of randomisation: not stated Blinding: not stated ITT analysis: not stated Losses to FU: not stated
Participants	Country: China Number of participants included: 60 (30/30) Demographics: aged 45‐69 years, 53% male Type of stroke: both ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes Diagnosis: WHO definition Severity on entry: not stated Time from stroke onset: 1‐6 months Setting: inpatient Comparability: no significant difference in age, comorbidity, or time post onset
Interventions	Comparison: acupuncture + PT versus PT Acupuncture treatment Acupuncture rationale: not stated Needling details Points used: both body and scalp acupoints Numbers of points used: 2 scalp acupoints and 4 body acupoints Depths of insertion: 1.57 inches Deqi elicited: yes Needle stimulation: manual and electrical stimulation Needle retention time: 30 minutes Needle type: length 1.57 inches Treatment regimen Number of treatment sessions: 24 sessions Frequency of treatment: 6 sessions/week Total course: 4 weeks Practitioner background: not stated Co‐intervention: PT Control interventions: PT
Outcomes	Improvement of neurological function (Modified Edinburgh Stroke Scale and Scandinavian Stroke Scale)
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

BMIT: Boston Motor Inventory Test
 CSRS 1: Chinese Stroke Recovery Scale based on the revised diagnostic criteria of acute cerebral infarction formulated by the second National Academic Symposium on Cerebrovascular Diseases of the Chinese Medical Association in 1986, which is similar to the Revised Scandinavian Stroke Scale (RSSS)
 CSRS 2: Chinese Stroke Recovery Scale based on principles of traditional Chinese medicine
 CT: computerised tomography
 FU: follow‐up
 HAMD: Hamilton Depression Scale
 ITT: intention‐to‐treat
 LOTCA: Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment
 MESS: modified Edinburgh Stroke Scale
 MMSE: Mini Mental State Examination
 MoCA: Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale
 MRI: magnetic resonance imaging
 OT: occupational therapy
 PT: physical therapy
 qd: once per day
 RCT: randomised controlled trial
 SF‐36: 36‐Item Short Form Health Survey
 SS‐QOL: Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale
 SSS: Scandinavian Stroke Scale
 TCM: Traditional Chinese Medicine
 WHO: World Health Organization
 WM: Western medicine