Gosman‐Hedstrom 1998.

Methods	Design: Randomised controlled trial, 3 groups. Randomisation: Computer generated randomisation held at a randomisation centre. Researcher telephoned the centre providing the stratification data for each participant as they were recruited to the study. Dropouts: n = 4 from experimental group, 2 died. 1 medical problem and 1 refused to participate. From control group, n = 3, all 3 died.
Participants	Experimental: n = 37 recruited of whom 33 completed. Of initial group 17 were female with a mean age of 75 years and 20 were male with a mean age of 77 years. Control: n = 33 recruited of whom 30 completed. Of initial group 24 were female with a mean age of 78 years and 11 were male with a mean age of 74 years. Study criteria: (1) aged 40+ years; (2) acute focal ischaemic non‐haemorrhagic lesion less than 1 week before randomisation; (3) could not walk without support; (4) could not eat and/or dress without assistance; (5) able to co‐operate; (6) no other disease necessitating hospital or nursing home care; (7) no severe asphasia; (8) no earlier cerebral lesion with a documented need of care; (9) no cardiac pacemaker.
Interventions	Duration: 10 weeks. Experimental: Category = 15. Deep electroacupuncture (30mm long needles). Electrostimulation provided at 2Hz. Two 30 minute sessions a week for 10 weeks. All experimental participants also received the control intervention. Control: Conventional stroke rehabilitation (no details in paper) Comparison: Electrostimulation vs no treatment.
Outcomes	Baseline measurement: The day before intervention begun. Outcome measurement: 3 months after intervention began. Included outcomes: (1) Barthel Index. Other outcomes: (1) Scandinavian stroke study group neurological score; (2) Sunnaas Index of ADL.
Notes	The intention‐to‐treat principal was followed at the 3 month outcome. We did not include the group allocated to acupuncture in this review.
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Allocation concealment?	Low risk	A ‐ Adequate