Multi-Site Feasibility Study to Prepare for a Clinical Trial on Battlefield Acupuncture, Battlefield Acupressure, or Sham for Acute Pain
Official title: Multi-Site Feasibility Study in Preparation for a Definitive Clinical Trial Randomizing Patients with Acute Pain to Battlefield Acupuncture, Battlefield Acupressure, or Sham
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11442963 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A team at UC San Diego is testing a non-drug, needle-free and needle-involved acupuncture approach to treat acute postoperative pain and reduce reliance on opioids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 11, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,322,441 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AT013452-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11442963 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults undergoing surgery who experience acute postoperative pain and are eligible for non-opioid analgesia options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who cannot tolerate acupuncture-based interventions or who have contraindications to needling or acupressure may receive no benefit.
What this research studies
This project is a multi-site feasibility study designed to lay the groundwork for a larger clinical trial comparing battlefield acupuncture, battlefield acupressure, and sham treatment for acute pain after surgery. It focuses on practicality, recruitment, and data collection to ensure a future definitive trial can be run smoothly. The study emphasizes accessibility, aiming to allow non-experts to administer a simple, low-risk analgesic option while monitoring safety and patient comfort. Results will inform whether these approaches can meaningfully reduce opioid use and improve pain relief in diverse surgical populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a low-cost, easy-to-administer alternative or adjunct to opioids for acute postoperative pain.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown feasibility and acceptability of battlefield acupuncture in military and VA settings, but definitive effectiveness data in a broad surgical population are still needed.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ilfeld, Brian M — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Ilfeld, Brian M
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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.