Battlefield acupuncture to control pain during hospital care for exertional rhabdomyolysis
Effect of Battlefield Acupuncture on Pain Control During Inpatient Treatment of Exertional Rhabdomyolysis
This project will try battlefield acupuncture to reduce pain in adults hospitalized with exertional rhabdomyolysis.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 36 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 99 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Tripler Army Medical Center Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (TAMC, Hawaii) |
| Trial ID | NCT07528300 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot is a prospective observational case series at Tripler Army Medical Center comparing patients who choose battlefield acupuncture plus standard care with those who decline it. Eligible patients who meet CHAMP criteria for exertional rhabdomyolysis will be offered battlefield auricular acupuncture within 12 hours of admission. The study is unblinded and tracks serial pain scores and pain medication requirements during the inpatient stay. Research coordinators will record outcomes to characterize short-term pain response and analgesic use.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18 years) admitted within 72 hours of exertional rhabdomyolysis symptom onset who are experiencing pain and elect to receive battlefield acupuncture.
Not a fit: Patients under 18, those without pain, those more than 72 hours from symptom onset, or those who decline battlefield acupuncture are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could provide a rapid, nonpharmacologic option to reduce pain and lower opioid or other analgesic use during hospitalization.
How similar studies have performed: Small studies and case series of battlefield and auricular acupuncture have reported short-term reductions in acute pain, but high-quality randomized evidence is limited and results are mixed.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Rhabdomyolysis * chooses battlefield acupuncture Exclusion Criteria: * Greater than 72 hours from onset of symptoms * younger than 18 years of age * declines battlefield acupuncture * no pain
Where this trial is running
TAMC, Hawaii
- Tripler Army Medical Center — Tamc, Hawaii, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Chelsea W Tagawa, MD — Tripler Army Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Chelsea W Tagawa, MD
- Email: chelsea.w.tagawa.civ@health.mil
- Phone: 808-433-2202
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.