Randomized Effectiveness Trial of a Brief Course of Acupuncture for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Bibliographic Data

ID9102475
AuthorsCharles C Engel (0000-0002-9232-3389, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, corresponding author), Elizabeth Harper Cordova (corresponding author), David M Benedek (0000-0001-9480-1412, National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Xian Liu (0000-0002-4247-6088, National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, corresponding author), Kristie L Gore (Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, corresponding author), Christine Goertz (0000-0002-4700-3669, Palmer College of Chiropractic), Michael C Freed, Michael Freed (0000-0001-5570-9488, National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, corresponding author), Cindy Crawford (0000-0003-0256-8014, Samueli Institute), Wayne B Jonas (0000-0001-8498-3849, Samueli Institute), Robert J Ursano (0000-0002-1861-9173, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences)
Year2014
Volume52
IssueSupplement 5
PagesS57-S64
Publication date2014-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMedical Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0025-7079 • E-ISSN: 1537-1948
PublisherOvid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1097/mlr.0000000000000237
PMID25397825
OpenAlexW1977718900
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited25

BACKGROUND: Initial posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) care is often delayed and many with PTSD go untreated. Acupuncture appears to be a safe, potentially nonstigmatizing treatment that reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, but little is known about its effect on PTSD. METHODS: Fifty-five service members meeting research diagnostic criteria for PTSD were randomized to usual PTSD care (UPC) plus eight 60-minute sessions of acupuncture conducted twice weekly or to UPC alone. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 4, 8, and 12 weeks postrandomization. The primary study outcomes were difference in PTSD symptom improvement on the PTSD Checklist (PCL) and the Clinician-administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) from baseline to 12-week follow-up between the 2 treatment groups. Secondary outcomes were depression, pain severity, and mental and physical health functioning. Mixed model regression and t test analyses were applied to the data. RESULTS: Mean improvement in PTSD severity was significantly greater among those receiving acupuncture than in those receiving UPC (PCLΔ=19.8±13.3 vs. 9.7±12.9, P<0.001; CAPSΔ=35.0±20.26 vs. 10.9±20.8, P<0.0001). Acupuncture was also associated with significantly greater improvements in depression, pain, and physical and mental health functioning. Pre-post effect-sizes for these outcomes were large and robust. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture was effective for reducing PTSD symptoms. Limitations included small sample size and inability to parse specific treatment mechanisms. Larger multisite trials with longer follow-up, comparisons to standard PTSD treatments, and assessments of treatment acceptability are needed. Acupuncture is a novel therapeutic option that may help to improve population reach of PTSD treatment

Acupuncture · Alternative medicine · Anxiety · Checklist · Depression (economics) · Mental health · Physical therapy · Posttraumatic stress · Psychiatry · Randomized controlled trial · Acupuncture Treatment Research Studies · Biofield Effects and Biophysics · Internal Medicine · Medicine · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Psychology

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