Acupuncture, Combat, PTSD
Conditions
Brief summary
The objective of this study is to determine if acupuncture is an effective treatment option for treating combat Veterans with PTSD.
Interventions
DEVICEAcupuncture
Patients will be randomized to either treatment arm, verum acupuncture or sham placebo acupuncture.
Sponsors
VA Office of Research and Development
Southern California Institute for Research and Education
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Veteran Age 18 to 55 * DSM-5 criteria for chronic PTSD on Clinical Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) * CAPS-5 score of ≥ 26 and meeting criteria for each of 4 symptoms
Exclusion criteria
* Current and past six-months psychosis * Substance dependence within 6 months (evidence of tolerance and/or withdrawal) * Thyroid disease * Decisional incapacity (e.g., dementia) * Centrally acting medications that have a potential effect on biological expression (e.g., beta-blockers, opiates, and ≥10mg equivalent of diazepam/day) * Pain levels requiring opiate medications * Known exposure to chemicals or physical trauma that cause neuropsychiatric sequelae * Severe depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II score ≥30) * A diagnosed and untreated sleep breathing disorder (SBD) * High risk of a SBD as indicated by snoring ≥50 of nights plus one of any 1. Any witnessed apnea 2. Feeling non-refreshed in the morning ≥50 of mornings 3. Daytime sleepiness indicated by falling asleep with routine tasks such as watching TV or reading * Non-response to ≥2 evidence-based PTSD treatments (adequate medication of 12 weeks or completion to PE, CPT or an intensive program) * Treatment non-adherence indicated by stopping treatment or \>3 missed appointments in the course of PTSD EBT * High dissociation as indicated by a score of ≥25 on the Dissociative Experiences Scale - II * Past chronic PTSD prior to military service * Current active psychotherapy for PTSD * Having acupuncture in the past year * Pregnancy
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change in Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-5) PTSD Diagnosis | 4 months: Baseline CAPS to post treatment |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactKala Carrick, MS
Backup ContactAndrea Munoz, MS
Outcome results
None listed