Auricular acupuncture for improving sleep disturbances

Auricular Acupuncture for Sleep Disturbances: A Randomized Control Trial

Not applicable Interventional Mike O'Callaghan Military Hospital · NCT04956341

This study is testing whether auricular acupuncture can help active duty military personnel and Department of Defense beneficiaries sleep better and feel less anxious or depressed.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment316 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMike O'Callaghan Military Hospital Federal
Locations1 site (Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada)
Trial IDNCT04956341 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture in treating sleep disturbances among active duty military personnel and Department of Defense beneficiaries. Participants aged 18-80 will receive a specific protocol of acupuncture treatments, with the aim of reducing sleep issues and potentially alleviating associated conditions such as anxiety and depression. The study will involve screening visits to assess eligibility and gather relevant health information. The primary goal is to determine if acupuncture can significantly improve sleep quality compared to standard treatments.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are active duty military members and DoD beneficiaries aged 18-80 experiencing sleep disturbances.

Not a fit: Patients with untreated obstructive sleep apnea or severe psychiatric conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a non-pharmacological option for patients struggling with sleep disturbances.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results for acupuncture in treating sleep disturbances, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
\*\*Patients must be able to get care at Nellis Air Force Base (a military installation) in order to participate in this study\*\*

Inclusion Criteria:

* Male and female Active Duty members and DoD beneficiaries ages 18-80 with complaints of sleep disturbances.
* PROMIS-16 Sleep-Related Impairment Scale with a score of medium or severe (T-Score greater than or equal to 60).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with OSA who are prescribed CPAP/BiPAP and either do not use it or use it \<70% of time per patient report.
* Investigators seek to exclude individuals with sleep-related medical or psychiatric conditions that are so severe as to render these patients inappropriate for treatment in primary care or simple mental health without psychiatry oversight or that acupuncture cannot be expected to have an effect on (e.g., thyroid disease). Specifically, exclusion criteria will include:

  * Psychosis
  * Thyroid disease undergoing active adjustment of medication.Depression, with suicidality. (clinician judgment)
  * Greater than 10 mg equivalent of diazepam equivalent per day for any reason
  * Non-response to greater than 2 PSTD treatments
* Having acupuncture not related to sleep in the past 3 months
* Pregnant

Where this trial is running

Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Sleep Disturbanceacupunctureauricular acupuncturesleep
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.