Battlefield acupuncture to control pain during hospital care for exertional rhabdomyolysis
Official title: Effect of Battlefield Acupuncture on Pain Control During Inpatient Treatment of Exertional Rhabdomyolysis
Run by Tripler Army Medical Center · NCT07528300 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try battlefield acupuncture to reduce pain in adults hospitalized with exertional rhabdomyolysis.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 99 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 36 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Tripler Army Medical Center Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (TAMC, Hawaii) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 24, 2023 |
| Main results expected | April 24, 2028 |
| Study ends | April 24, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | April 14, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07528300 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (≥18 years) admitted within 72 hours of exertional rhabdomyolysis symptom onset who are experiencing pain and elect to receive battlefield acupuncture.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
-
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
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.