Using acupuncture to help patients with sepsis
Official title: Acupuncture to Improve Outcomes in Patients with Sepsis: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Funded at Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research · NIH-11052495 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | March 8, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $222,156 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA286330-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11052495 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are at risk for developing sepsis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for sepsis or those with contraindications to acupuncture may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deng, Gary E — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Deng, Gary E
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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.