Ear acupuncture plus mindfulness for emotional distress in military personnel with PTSD
Official title: Effects of Auricular Acupuncture on Emotional Distress in Service Members and Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Run by United States Naval Medical Center, San Diego · NCT07021352 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This will test whether ear acupuncture combined with mindfulness therapy can reduce emotional distress and PTSD symptoms in active-duty service members and veterans.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 66 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | United States Naval Medical Center, San Diego Federal |
| Locations | 2 sites (Fairfield, California and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 2, 2026 |
| Main results expected | October 2027 |
| Study ends | June 2028 |
| Registry record updated | April 24, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07021352 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Active-duty service members and veterans with PTSD who score ≥14 on the abbreviated PCL‑6 and ≥24 on the emotional distress scale, willing to participate in mindfulness therapy and able to provide informed consent.
✕Probably not a fit
People who recently received mindfulness therapy in the past month or who are unwilling to have ear needles placed may not be eligible or likely to benefit from this approach.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This interventional program enrolls active-duty service members and veterans with PTSD who meet screening cutoffs on the PCL‑6 and an emotional distress scale. Participants receive auricular acupuncture using the NADA protocol with semi-permanent sterile ASP needles placed in both ears and left in place until they naturally fall out, combined with mindfulness therapy that includes relaxation techniques such as yoga and controlled breathing. The study measures changes in emotional distress and PTSD symptom scores over the treatment period. Individuals who received mindfulness therapy from a healthcare provider in the past month are excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, combining auricular acupuncture with mindfulness could offer a low-risk, non-drug option to reduce emotional distress and PTSD symptoms for military personnel and veterans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies of mindfulness and of auricular acupuncture have shown promising but mixed results for PTSD, substance use, and emotional distress, so this combines two approaches with some supportive but not definitive evidence.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Active duty service member and veterans * A score of 14 or above on the abbreviated PCL 6-item * A score of 24 or above on the EDS * Agrees to participate in mindfulness therapy * Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: \- Has had mindfulness therapy received from a healthcare provider in the past month
Where it's running
-
David Grant USAF Medical Center
Fairfield, California, United States Recruiting -
Naval Medical Center San Diego
San Diego, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jane Abanes
- Email: jjabanes@gmail.com
- Phone: 808-421-9562
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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.