Acupuncture treatment for PTSD recovery
Determining the Right Acupuncture for Good Recovery Over Neuropsychiatric Trauma (DRAGON)
This study is testing whether a specific acupuncture treatment can help active duty military personnel and Department of Defense beneficiaries with PTSD feel better.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 75 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 74 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Mike O'Callaghan Military Hospital Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada) |
| Trial ID | NCT05516862 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a specific acupuncture treatment in alleviating symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among active duty military personnel and Department of Defense beneficiaries. Participants will receive either Dragons acupuncture, Dragons acupressure, or a placebo treatment. The study focuses on individuals who meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and assesses their symptoms using standardized measures. The goal is to determine if acupuncture can provide significant relief from the distressing symptoms associated with neuropsychiatric trauma.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are active duty military members and DoD beneficiaries aged 18-65 who have been diagnosed with PTSD.
Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant, have a history of recent mental health hospitalization, or are actively suicidal may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could offer a non-pharmacological option for reducing PTSD symptoms and improving the quality of life for affected individuals.
How similar studies have performed: While acupuncture has been explored in various studies for treating PTSD, this specific approach using Dragons acupuncture is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Active Duty members and DoD beneficiaries(i.e. former military, spouse, dependent child), 18-65 years old * Meeting the criteria for PTSD based on PCL-5 (past month scores) score of 31 or higher * At least 1 positive response to at least one item on the LEC-5. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant, may be pregnant, or attempting to become pregnant. There areno known risks of this acupuncture in pregnant patients; however, we will exclude pregnancy due to the location of the needles (right over the uterus in 3rd trimester) and risk of exacerbating anxiety that may cause stress on the baby. Subjects will be told to let us know if they become pregnant so we can disenroll them from the study. * Prior treatment with Dragons acupuncture * History of hospitalization for mental health reasons within the last year * Active Suicidal thoughts (is currently considering suicide or has a plan) or suicide attempt within the last year. This will be assessed by direct questioning. * Is currently receiving acupuncture or other non-medication treatments specifically for PTSD (patients can elect to forgo PTSD treatments during the study period and then resume after the study period is over; ie halt therapy during the study period) * Legally Authorized Representatives will not be utilized in this study \*\*Patients must be able to get care at Nellis Air Force Base (a military installation) in order to participate in this study\*\*
Where this trial is running
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
- Mike O'Callaghan Military Medical Center — Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Amanda Crawford, MS
- Email: amanda.j.crawford.ctr@health.mil
- Phone: 7026533600
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.