Acupuncture for relieving symptoms of Gulf War Illness

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized, unblinded Phase II trial compares individualized acupuncture delivered in community practice settings by experienced practitioners to a waitlist-then-treatment schedule for veterans with Gulf War Illness. Two hundred veterans are randomized to either six months of twice-weekly acupuncture or a two-month waitlist followed by weekly acupuncture, with practitioners required to have at least five years’ experience plus study training. Outcomes, including the SF-36 physical component score, are measured at baseline and at 2, 4, and 6 months. The protocol uses acupuncture approaches typical of community practice to test real-world effects on multisymptom illness burden.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Deployed to the Gulf Theater of operations (as defined by 38 CFR 3.317, includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and the airspace above all of these locations) between August 1990 and the present date
* Have at least 2 of the following symptoms from the 3 CDC clusters of symptom that have lasted for more than 6 months. Each symptom cluster must be characterized as mild-moderate or severe, with at least one symptom in each cluster required to be severe. The clusters are:

A. Fatigability: fatigue 24 hours or more after exertion B. Mood and Cognition: feeling depressed; feeling irritable; difficulty thinking or concentrating; feeling worried, tense, anxious; problems finding words; or problems getting to sleep C. Musculoskeletal: joint pain or muscle pain

Exclusion Criteria:

* Currently enrolled in another clinical trial
* Have another disease that likely could account for the symptoms, as determined by our Medical Monitor
* Severe psychiatric illness (in the last 2 years psychiatric hospitalization, suicidal attempt, alcohol or substance abuse, use of antipsychotic medication) as measured by the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorder (Prime MD).
* Unable to complete the protocol on based on the evaluation of the Medical Monitor.

Where it's running

• Various
  Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting
• Various
  Tampa, Florida, United States Recruiting
• Various
  Dallas, Texas, United States Recruiting
• University of California, Berkeley
  Berkeley, California, United States Not yet recruiting
• Various
  Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States Not yet recruiting
• Various
  Denver, Colorado, United States Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Lisa Conboy
• Email: lisa_conboy@hms.harvard.edu
• Phone: 617-718-1917

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.