Ear Acupuncture + Mindfulness Therapy for PTSD
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores whether combining ear acupuncture with mindfulness therapy can reduce emotional distress and PTSD symptoms in military personnel. Participants will receive either both treatments or just mindfulness therapy, which includes relaxation techniques like yoga and controlled breathing. The main goal is to determine if this combination improves sleep, reduces alcohol use, and eases pain. The trial seeks active duty service members and veterans who experience significant emotional distress and are open to trying mindfulness therapy. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative therapies that could enhance emotional well-being.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?
Research has shown that ear acupuncture, particularly the NADA protocol, is safe and generally well-tolerated. Studies have found that this acupuncture method can alleviate pain, insomnia, depression, and anxiety without significant side effects. For instance, one study found that ear acupuncture effectively reduced anxiety and stress and was easy to use.
Another review demonstrated that fine needle acupuncture, as used in the NADA protocol, reduced PTSD symptoms without major side effects. Participants generally found it helpful and appreciated it as additional support alongside mental health treatments.
In summary, evidence suggests that ear acupuncture is a safe option for reducing emotional distress and PTSD symptoms. Patients generally receive it well, and it typically does not cause harmful side effects.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about combining ear acupuncture with mindfulness therapy for PTSD because it offers a novel, holistic approach to treatment. Unlike standard treatments, which often involve medication or traditional talk therapy, this approach integrates the NADA ear acupuncture protocol with mindfulness practices. The acupuncture targets specific points in the ear to potentially help balance the body's energy and reduce stress, while mindfulness therapy promotes mental clarity and relaxation. Together, they aim to provide a complementary and potentially quicker pathway to relief compared to existing options, which can take longer to show results.
What evidence suggests that ear acupuncture plus mindfulness therapy could be effective for PTSD?
This trial will compare the effectiveness of two treatments for PTSD. Research has shown that ear acupuncture can help reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One study found that people experienced fewer PTSD symptoms after receiving ear acupuncture following disasters. Another study suggested that acupuncture might also reduce PTSD and depression symptoms, with lasting effects. In this trial, one group of participants will receive both ear acupuncture and mindfulness therapy. Mindfulness therapy, which includes relaxation techniques like yoga and controlled breathing, has also been shown to help manage emotional distress. Another group will receive mindfulness therapy only. Combining these two treatments may provide a powerful way to help military personnel manage PTSD and emotional distress.16789
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants receive bilateral NADA ear acupuncture protocol treatment and weekly mindfulness therapy
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Auricular Acupuncture with Mindfulness Therapy
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Arm A (Ear Acupuncture plus Mindfulness): Participants will receive bilateral NADA ear acupuncture protocol treatment for a one-time insertion in addition to the weekly mindfulness therapy received by participants. The NADA consists of 5 ear acupuncture points inserted bilaterally: shen men, sympathetic, kidney, liver, and lung. Sterile, semi-permanent acupuncture needles (2mm) will be inserted into the participant's ear and left in place until they naturally fall out, typically within 3-7 days. This group will also receive mindfulness weekly for 30 minutes each session via the MS Teams platform.
Arm B (Mindfulness only): The mindfulness-only group will receive mindfulness therapy weekly. Participants in arm B will receive virtual mindfulness weekly for 30 minutes each session via the MS Teams platform.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
United States Naval Medical Center, San Diego
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Effectiveness and safety of ear acupuncture for trauma-related ...
Ear acupuncture improved overall post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related symptoms in patients with PTSD after disasters.
Auricular Acupuncture on Emotional Distress in Service ...
The study will examine the effects of auricular acupuncture (AA) and mindfulness therapy (MT) on ED in military personnel with PTSD. The NADA ear acupuncture ...
Acupuncture for the Treatment of Adults with Posttraumatic ...
We have limited confidence in estimates indicating that needle acupuncture reduces PTSD and depressive symptoms at follow-up compared to passive controls, TAU, ...
Auricular acupressure reduces anxiety and burnout in ...
Literature review. Studies have suggested auricular acupuncture can be beneficial in reducing stress and anxiety. · Discussion · Limitations · Conclusion.
Needle Acupuncture for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ( ...
We also aimed to identify whether needle acupuncture is effective in improving health-related quality of life, functional status, depression and anxiety ...
Efficacy and safety of ear acupuncture for trauma-related ...
In particular, auriculotherapy is safe and easy to use, and is known to be effective for pain, insomnia, depression, anxiety. Thus, it may be offered as an ...
The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association protocol ...
This review demonstrates the mounting evidence that the NADA protocol has positive effects on a host of measures, populations, and treatment modalities.
Conventional Approaches for Treating Post-traumatic ...
Overall, the findings of the Grant review suggest that fine needle acupuncture reduced PTSD symptoms both immediately following treatment (standardized mean ...
NADA Protocol for Behavioral Health. Putting Tools in the ...
The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) protocol, a simple standardized auricular treatment has the potential to provide vast public health ...
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