Venketasubramanian N, Chen CLH, Gan RN, Chan BPL, Chang HM, Tan SB, Picard D, Navarro JC, Baroque II AC, Poungvarin N, Donnan GA, Bousser MG

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multicenter study to investigate CHInese Medicine Neuroaid Efficacy on Stroke recovery (CHIMES Study)

Int J Stroke 2009;4:54–60

Ischaemic stroke

To test the hypothesis that a traditional Chinese medicine that contains 0.4 g of medicinal extracts of plant and animal origins is superior to placebo in reducing neurological deficit and improving functional outcome in patients with acute cerebral infarction of intermediate severity

Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled

Aim 3 months

Aim 1100 patients, aged ≥ 21 years, with pre-stroke score ≤ 1 on modified Rankin Scale, post-stroke score 6–14 on National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, presenting with cerebral infarction. Time since onset of symptoms: < 48 h

Neuroaid, 4 capsules tid, or placebo

Standard stroke care, including antiplatelet therapy, control of vascular risk factors and appropriate rehabilitation

Not yet available