Acupuncture in the Emergency Department to Ease Acute Pain in Two Patient Groups
Official title: 2/2: Acupuncture in the Emergency Department for Pain Management: A BraveNet Multi-Center Phase 3 Study (ACUITY 2).
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11358565 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-center study tests whether acupuncture in the ED can more effectively reduce pain quickly for adults with acute pain than usual care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $297,373 |
| NIH project number | 1U24AT013107-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11358565 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults visiting the ED with acute pain and a baseline pain score above 4 who can receive acupuncture.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with contraindications to acupuncture or who prefer not to receive it may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project builds on earlier ED acupuncture work and aims to confirm if acupuncture provides faster pain relief for two groups of ED patients: those with musculoskeletal pain and those with non-musculoskeletal pain. It will use a definitive randomized framework (UG3/UH3) across multiple centers to compare pre- and post-treatment pain changes. The study emphasizes fidelity to a responsive acupuncture protocol, patient satisfaction, and practical integration into ED workflows.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could offer ED clinicians a safe, rapid option to reduce acute pain and improve patient comfort.
How similar studies have gone: Previous ED acupuncture trials showed promising pain reductions, supporting the potential for a larger, definitive trial.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barton, Bruce a — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Barton, Bruce a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Acupuncture in the Emergency Department for Pain in 5 BraveNet Centers
A multi-center plan will try acupuncture for acute pain in adults visiting emergency departments to see if it provides better relief than usual care.
-
Using acupuncture in the emergency department to manage pain
This study is looking at whether acupuncture can help people in the emergency room who are dealing with moderate to severe pain, offering a safer option than opioids for relief.
-
Cancer Pain Management for Asian American Breast Cancer Survivors with Depressive Symptoms
A technology-based program helps Asian American breast cancer survivors with depressive symptoms manage chronic pain more effectively from home using a web app and mobile tools.
-
Immune and nerve signals behind acupuncture relief for sickle cell pain
This NIH grant explores how acupuncture helps reduce pain and opioid use for people with sickle cell disease.
-
Building Indigenous Research Infrastructure for Substance Misuse and Pain Management
A planned two-year effort helps the Lumbee Tribe build a community-led research infrastructure to better understand and address substance misuse and pain in their community.
-
Coordinated pain care using technology in community clinics
A large, real-world study will test a coordinated, multi-component pain care plan in community health centers to help people with chronic musculoskeletal pain get non-opioid and holistic treatments.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.