Acupuncture for Perceived Stress in Military Personnel

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Acupuncture, Perceived Stress, Military Personnel

In brief

Introduction: Although the physiologic response to stress is necessary for mammals to survive, prolonged stress response as a result of perceived stress can lead to allostatic load and loss of resilience to future stressors. To mitigate the consequences of allostatic load, researchers have investigated the effects of acupuncture as a promising intervention. Objectives/Aims: The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility and effect of a standardized stress acupuncture (SSA) approach on perceived stress in U.S. military personnel. Specific aims include the following: a) to determine feasibility of recruitment for SSA and implementation of study procedures in preparation for a methodologically rigorous study, b) to determine the acceptability of SSA treatment in a sample of military personnel with perceived stress, and c) to assess perceived stress and general health before and after SSA. Methods and Analysis: This is a single-arm, single-site study protocol to assess feasibility of SSA in a total of 15 patients with perceived stress. Upon IRB approval and written informed consent, the participants will receive 4 weekly sessions of SSA which consists of 6 acupuncture points. Demographic information and attrition of participants will be monitored throughout the study. Patient-reported questionnaires including Acupuncture Expectancy Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and SF-36 will be administered at baseline and then at the completion of the study. Descriptive statistics, reliable change indices (RCI), and Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks tests will be conducted to assess the magnitude of changes in scores. Military Relevance: The three most common disability conditions in the military include musculoskeletal, psychiatric, and neurological body systems. Among these problems, however, mental health disorders remain a significant contributor to disability and suicide. Given the role of perceived stress in disability and suicidality in the military, intervening early before service members become at risk for severe injuries, hospitalizations, and chronic disability could help decrease burdensome problems.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03364361

Run by

United States Naval Medical Center, San Diego

People needed

22

Starts

2018-02-12

Expected to finish

2018-03-16

Last updated by the study team

2018-03-29

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Active duty service members will be considered eligible upon meeting the following criteria: 18 to 65 years of age, Self-report of perceived stress for at least one month. A score of 16 or above on the PSS. The choice of 16 on the PSS scale, as an eligibility criterion, was based on previous studies that use the same score criterion to describe the impact of perceived stress on allostatic load and the effect of acupuncture for perceived stress (Groer et al., 2016; Schroeder et al., 2017). Stable on psychiatric and other medications for at least three months. Able to sign an informed consent.

You may not qualify if…

• Recent medical surgery within one month; Alcohol abuse or dependence diagnosis within one month and active substance use/abuse/dependency treatment within one month; Pregnant women. Acupuncture can result in an induction of labor and spontaneous abortion in rare occasions(White et al., 2008); Has had acupuncture treatment in the past month.

Where it is running

• Naval Medical Center — San Diego, California, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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