Using acupuncture to help patients with sepsis

Acupuncture to Improve Outcomes in Patients with Sepsis: a Randomized Controlled Trial

NIH-funded research Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11052495

This study is looking at whether acupuncture can help patients who are at risk for sepsis, a serious illness, by seeing if it can lower the chances of needing intensive care or improve health outcomes, and it’s designed for people who might be facing this condition.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11052495 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effects of acupuncture on patients at risk for sepsis, a serious condition that can lead to organ failure and death. The study will involve a randomized controlled trial where participants will receive either true acupuncture or sham acupuncture for ten days. Researchers aim to determine if acupuncture can reduce mortality rates and ICU admissions, as well as its impact on inflammatory markers and dopamine production. The trial will be conducted in a blinded manner to ensure unbiased results.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are at risk for developing sepsis.

Not a fit: Patients who are not at risk for sepsis or those with contraindications to acupuncture may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new complementary treatment option for improving outcomes in sepsis patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results for acupuncture in reducing mortality in sepsis patients, but this trial aims to provide more rigorous evidence.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.