Ear acupuncture plus mindfulness for emotional distress in military personnel with PTSD
Effects of Auricular Acupuncture on Emotional Distress in Service Members and Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
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
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 66 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | United States Naval Medical Center, San Diego Federal |
| Locations | 2 sites (Fairfield, California and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07021352 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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.
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.
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 performed: 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.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
Fairfield, California and 1 other locations
- 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
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.