75 Participants Needed

Acupuncture for PTSD

AC
Overseen ByAmanda Crawford, MS
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Paul Crawford

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study seeks to verify that a specific acupuncture treatment is effective at reducing symptoms of neuropsychiatric trauma found in those diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you cannot be receiving acupuncture or other non-medication treatments specifically for PTSD during the study.

What data supports the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for PTSD?

Research suggests that acupuncture may help reduce PTSD symptoms, with some studies showing it can be as effective as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and better than certain medications. However, more high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings.12345

Is acupuncture safe for treating PTSD?

Acupuncture is generally considered safe and may reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, but more research is needed to confirm its safety specifically for PTSD.45678

How does the Dragons acupuncture treatment for PTSD differ from other treatments?

Dragons acupuncture, a form of traditional Chinese medicine, is unique in its approach by using specific acupuncture points to potentially regulate brain areas and the neuroendocrine system, which may help alleviate PTSD symptoms. Unlike standard pharmacological treatments, it offers a non-drug alternative that may improve symptoms without the side effects associated with medications.145910

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for active duty members and DoD beneficiaries aged 18-65 with PTSD, as indicated by a PCL-5 score of 31 or higher. Participants must be able to receive care at Nellis Air Force Base and not be pregnant, hospitalized for mental health recently, have active suicidal thoughts, or currently receiving specific non-medication PTSD treatments.

Inclusion Criteria

At least 1 positive response to at least one item on the LEC-5
My PTSD score is 31 or higher, indicating I have PTSD.
I am between 18-65 years old and connected to the military as an active member, veteran, spouse, or child.

Exclusion Criteria

Active Suicidal thoughts (is currently considering suicide or has a plan) or suicide attempt within the last year
Pregnant, may be pregnant, or attempting to become pregnant
Legally Authorized Representatives will not be utilized in this study
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Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive acupuncture or sham treatments targeting Dragons points for PTSD symptom reduction

8 weeks
6 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Dragons acupressure
  • Dragons acupuncture
  • Dragons placebo
Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of Dragons acupuncture versus placebo and acupressure in reducing neuropsychiatric trauma symptoms in individuals with PTSD. It aims to determine which method may offer better recovery outcomes.
Participant Groups
3Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: Group 1Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Script followed by Dragons Acupuncture (external Dragons points with patient prone for 15 minutes followed by internal Dragons points with patient supine for 15 minutes).
Group II: Group 2Placebo Group1 Intervention
Script followed by Dragons sham acupressure placed at the Dragons points (external Dragons points with patient prone for 15 minutes followed by internal Dragons points with patient supine for 15 minutes).
Group III: Group 3Placebo Group1 Intervention
Script followed by Acupuncturist lightly touching Dragons points (external Dragons points with patient prone for 15 minutes followed by internal Dragons points with patient supine for 15 minutes).

Dragons acupressure is already approved in United States, European Union for the following indications:

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Approved in United States as Seven Dragons for:
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ
Approved in European Union as Seven Dragons for:
  • Neuropsychiatric trauma
  • PTSD

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Paul Crawford

Lead Sponsor

Trials
6
Recruited
970+

Findings from Research

Acupuncture has been found to be more effective than both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy in improving PTSD symptoms, based on a comprehensive review that included 56 acupoint analyses, eight meta-analyses, and 33 mechanistic studies.
The most commonly used acupuncture point for PTSD treatment was GV20, and the mechanisms of action may involve regulating brain structures, the neuroendocrine system, and various signaling pathways, highlighting acupuncture's potential as a therapeutic option for PTSD.
Efficacy and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture therapy for PTSD: evidence from animal and clinical studies.Tang, X., Lin, S., Fang, D., et al.[2023]
A systematic review of 6 clinical trials, including 4 randomized controlled trials, suggests that acupuncture may be effective for treating PTSD, showing similar therapeutic effects to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and some advantages over waitlist controls.
While acupuncture plus moxibustion showed favorable outcomes compared to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in some measures, the overall evidence remains inconclusive, indicating a need for more rigorous trials to confirm its efficacy.
Acupuncture for posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and prospective clinical trials.Kim, YD., Heo, I., Shin, BC., et al.[2022]
Acupuncture may significantly reduce PTSD symptoms in adults, with a standardized mean difference of -0.80 compared to other treatments, although the quality of evidence is very low.
Safety data from the studies indicate that acupuncture poses little risk of serious adverse events, with only minor issues like pain and superficial bleeding reported at needle sites.
Acupuncture for the Treatment of Adults with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Grant, S., Colaiaco, B., Motala, A., et al.[2022]

References

Efficacy and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture therapy for PTSD: evidence from animal and clinical studies. [2023]
Acupuncture for posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and prospective clinical trials. [2022]
Acupuncture for the Treatment of Adults with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. [2022]
Treatment of PTSD in Rwandan child genocide survivors using thought field therapy. [2015]
Acupuncture for posttraumatic stress disorder: conceptual, clinical, and biological data support further research. [2021]
Randomized effectiveness trial of a brief course of acupuncture for posttraumatic stress disorder. [2014]
Acupuncture for military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and related symptoms after combat exposure: Protocol for a scoping review of clinical studies. [2023]
The treatment and research for posttraumatic stress disorder with Chinese medicine. [2020]
An Observational Study on Acupuncture for Earthquake-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: The Experience of the Lombard Association of Medical Acupuncturists/Acupuncture in the World, in Amatrice, Central Italy. [2020]
[Modern research progress regarding effect mechanism of acupuncture on post-traumatic stress disorder]. [2016]