Musculoskeletal PainNCT02263001
Acupuncture Therapy for Treatment of Musculoskeletal Pain
A study testing Auricular acupuncture in people with Musculoskeletal Pain, run by University of California, San Diego at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Musculoskeletal injuries resulting in pain are one of the most common reasons for disability and missed duty among military personnel. Additionally, these injuries may create impairment in the area of optimal function, sleep and mood that may not be completely resolved with currently available therapies. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 60 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Musculoskeletal Pain
- What is being tested?
- Auricular acupuncture
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 8 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Apr 2013to Dec 2016
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 60 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Active duty personnel with a musculoskeletal injury
- Injuries eligible for inclusion include all acute or subacute (<3 months in duration) non-fracture related musculoskeletal injuries of the axial or peripheral skeleton
- Examples of injuries meeting inclusion include acute or sub-acute injuries of the neck, low back as well as the upper and lower extremities
- Individuals with the pre-existing chronic pain pain greater than 3 months in duration will be eligible if they have a presenting acute or sub-acute pain condition as described above
Who cannot join
- Injuries involving hospitalization or surgery for treatment in the presenting area of pain
- Rheumatologic and autoimmune conditions which may be creating pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis, advanced osteoarthritis, or spinal stenosis
- Contra-indication to needle use including known bleeding disorder and psychogenic issues related to needle use (needle-phobia)"
- Evidence or history of clinically significant immune deficiency, hematological, oncological, renal, endocrine, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hepatic, psychiatric, neurologic, or severe allergic disease (including to metals and adhesive tapes) which could interfere with this study
- Individuals with progressive radiating pain with motor-sensory changes (including weakness or numbness) related to their presenting pain complaint
- Any contra-indication to the use of electrical stimulation, including history of epilepsy, cardiac arrhythmias, pacemaker or any other implantable programmable device
- Treatment with acupuncture or auricular therapy within the last 3 months
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Naval Medical Center San DIego
San Diego, California, 92134
About this study
Official title: Auricular Acupuncture Therapy for Treatment of Musculoskeletal Pain in the Setting of Military Personnel: A Randomized Trial
Musculoskeletal injuries resulting in pain are one of the most common reasons for disability and missed duty among military personnel. Additionally, these injuries may create impairment in the area of optimal function, sleep and mood that may not be completely resolved with currently available therapies. This scenario creates the setting for testing and incorporation of additional treatment options to potentially improve care outcomes. Recent investigations have examined the adjunctive use of auricular therapy, which utilizes various interventions, typically needle-based, to stimulate the ear. This intervention appears to modulate the autonomic nervous system to produce more rapid onset of pain relief and reduction in pain related co-morbidities. For this trial of adjunctive auricular therapy, active duty personnel presenting with an acute or sub-acute musculoskeletal injury triaged to outpatient care for treatment will be studied. Subjects randomized to auricular treatment will receive, in addition to standard care, up to 12 treatments over a maximum of 3 months from a clinician trained in auricular therapy. This trial will specifically examine whether the addition of a specific auricular therapy protocol to standard care will have a beneficial impact on the pain and functionality of military personnel who sustain an acute or sub-acute musculoskeletal injury.
Read the detailed description
Musculoskeletal injuries resulting in pain are one of the most common reasons for disability and missed duty among military personnel. Additionally, these injuries may create impairment in the area of optimal function, sleep and mood that may not be completely resolved with currently available therapies. This scenario creates the setting for testing and incorporation of additional treatment options to potentially improve care outcomes. Recent investigations have examined the adjunctive use of auricular therapy, which utilizes various interventions, typically needle-based, to stimulate the ear. This intervention appears to modulate the autonomic nervous system to produce more rapid onset of pain relief and reduction in pain related co-morbidities. For this trial of adjunctive auricular therapy, 150 subjects will be enrolled at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. Subjects will be active duty personnel aged 18-60 years old presenting with an acute or sub-acute musculoskeletal injury triaged to outpatient care for treatment. Subjects randomized to auricular treatment will receive, in addition to standard care, up to 12 treatments over a maximum of 3 months from a clinician trained in auricular therapy. This trial will specifically examine whether the addition of a specific auricular therapy protocol to standard care will have a beneficial impact on the pain and functionality of military personnel who sustain an acute or sub-acute musculoskeletal injury.
- Conditions
- Musculoskeletal Pain
- Being tested
- Auricular acupuncture, Usual Care
- Keywords
- Auricular therapy, Acupuncture, Acute, sub-acute pain, Auricular Acupuncture Needles
- Medical subject headings
- Musculoskeletal Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Auricular acupunctureOther
Auricular therapy for treatment of musculoskeletal pain
Usual CareOther
Usual care therapy consists of over-the-counter and prescribed pharmacotherapy
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Auricular Acupuncture Plus Usual Care | Experimental | Auricular acupuncture therapy for treatment of musculoskeletal pain, plus usual care therapy consisting of over-the-counter and prescribed pharmacotherapy. Receives: Other: Auricular acupuncture |
| Usual Care Only | Active comparator | Usual care therapy for treatment of musculoskeletal pain. Usual care therapy consists of over-the-counter and prescribed pharmacotherapy. Receives: Other: Usual Care |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Primary musculoskeletal pain
Standardized scales and clinical assessments to determine if the addition of AT will significantly decrease pain at noted time endpoints after initiation of treatment compared to UC.
Measured: 12 weeks
Secondary outcomes (3)
Musculoskeletal pain related to co-morbities
Standardized scales and clinical assessments to determine if the addition of AT will significantly improve pain related co-morbidities (based on the 0-10 BPI Pain interference scale and SF-8) at noted endpoints after initiation of treatment than UC.
Measured: 12 weeks
Return of functional ability
Standardized scales and clinical assessments to determine if the addition of AT will significantly improve functionality at noted endpoints after initiation of treatment vs. UC.
Measured: 12 weeks
Reduction of pain medication use
Assessment of pharmacy records and self report to determine if AT will provide significant reduction in need for pain medication as compared to UC.
Measured: 12 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Oct 2014 (estimated)
- Study startApr 2013
- Primary completionDec 2016
- Study completionDec 2016
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Musculoskeletal PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of California, San DiegoThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 8 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of California, San Diego
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, United States Naval Medical Center, San Diego
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Paul J. Mills, University of California, San Diego
- Investigators
- Robert Bonakdar, MD, Principal investigator, Scripps Integrative Medical Center, La Jolla, CA
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02263001
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- NMCSD.2011.0119
- Status last verified
- May 2017
- First submitted
- 3 Oct 2014
- Last updated
- 4 May 2017
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 May 2017. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Auricular Acupuncture Therapy for Treatment of Musculoskeletal Pain in the Setting of Military Personnel: A Randomized Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02263001
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- NMCSD.2011.0119
- Conditions
- Musculoskeletal Pain
- Keywords
- Auricular therapy, Acupuncture, Acute, sub-acute pain, Auricular Acupuncture Needles
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 8 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of California, San DiegoUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine, United States Naval Medical Center, San Diego
- Study start
- Apr 2013
- Primary completion
- Dec 2016 (actual)
- Study completion
- Dec 2016 (actual)
- First posted
- 13 Oct 2014 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Musculoskeletal injuries resulting in pain are one of the most common reasons for disability and missed duty among military personnel. Additionally, these injuries may create impairment in the area of optimal function, sleep and mood that may not be completely resolved with currently available therapies. This scenario creates the setting for testing and incorporation of additional treatment options to potentially improve care outcomes. Recent investigations have examined the adjunctive use of auricular therapy, which utilizes various interventions, typically needle-based, to stimulate the ear. This intervention appears to modulate the autonomic nervous system to produce more rapid onset of pain relief and reduction in pain related co-morbidities. For this trial of adjunctive auricular therapy, active duty personnel presenting with an acute or sub-acute musculoskeletal injury triaged to outpatient care for treatment will be studied. Subjects randomized to auricular treatment will receive, in addition to standard care, up to 12 treatments over a maximum of 3 months from a clinician trained in auricular therapy. This trial will specifically examine whether the addition of a specific auricular therapy protocol to standard care will have a beneficial impact on the pain and functionality of military personnel who sustain an acute or sub-acute musculoskeletal injury.
Detailed description
Musculoskeletal injuries resulting in pain are one of the most common reasons for disability and missed duty among military personnel. Additionally, these injuries may create impairment in the area of optimal function, sleep and mood that may not be completely resolved with currently available therapies. This scenario creates the setting for testing and incorporation of additional treatment options to potentially improve care outcomes. Recent investigations have examined the adjunctive use of auricular therapy, which utilizes various interventions, typically needle-based, to stimulate the ear. This intervention appears to modulate the autonomic nervous system to produce more rapid onset of pain relief and reduction in pain related co-morbidities. For this trial of adjunctive auricular therapy, 150 subjects will be enrolled at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. Subjects will be active duty personnel aged 18-60 years old presenting with an acute or sub-acute musculoskeletal injury triaged to outpatient care for treatment. Subjects randomized to auricular treatment will receive, in addition to standard care, up to 12 treatments over a maximum of 3 months from a clinician trained in auricular therapy. This trial will specifically examine whether the addition of a specific auricular therapy protocol to standard care will have a beneficial impact on the pain and functionality of military personnel who sustain an acute or sub-acute musculoskeletal injury.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Auricular Acupuncture Plus Usual Care | Experimental | Other: Auricular acupunctureAuricular acupuncture therapy for treatment of musculoskeletal pain, plus usual care therapy consisting of over-the-counter and prescribed pharmacotherapy. |
| Usual Care Only | Active comparator | Other: Usual CareUsual care therapy for treatment of musculoskeletal pain. Usual care therapy consists of over-the-counter and prescribed pharmacotherapy. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Active duty personnel with a musculoskeletal injury
- Injuries eligible for inclusion include all acute or subacute (<3 months in duration) non-fracture related musculoskeletal injuries of the axial or peripheral skeleton
- Examples of injuries meeting inclusion include acute or sub-acute injuries of the neck, low back as well as the upper and lower extremities
- Individuals with the pre-existing chronic pain pain greater than 3 months in duration will be eligible if they have a presenting acute or sub-acute pain condition as described above
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Injuries involving hospitalization or surgery for treatment in the presenting area of pain
- Rheumatologic and autoimmune conditions which may be creating pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis, advanced osteoarthritis, or spinal stenosis
- Contra-indication to needle use including known bleeding disorder and psychogenic issues related to needle use (needle-phobia)"
- Evidence or history of clinically significant immune deficiency, hematological, oncological, renal, endocrine, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hepatic, psychiatric, neurologic, or severe allergic disease (including to metals and adhesive tapes) which could interfere with this study
- Individuals with progressive radiating pain with motor-sensory changes (including weakness or numbness) related to their presenting pain complaint
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Auricular acupunctureAuricular therapy for treatment of musculoskeletal pain | Other | Auricular Acupuncture Plus Usual Care |
| Usual CareUsual care therapy consists of over-the-counter and prescribed pharmacotherapy | Other | Usual Care Only |
Primary outcome
Primary musculoskeletal pain
Time frame: 12 weeks
Standardized scales and clinical assessments to determine if the addition of AT will significantly decrease pain at noted time endpoints after initiation of treatment compared to UC.
3 secondary outcomes
Musculoskeletal pain related to co-morbities
Time frame: 12 weeks
Return of functional ability
Time frame: 12 weeks
Reduction of pain medication use
Time frame: 12 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 May 2017.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Robert Bonakdar, MD principal investigator
Scripps Integrative Medical Center, La Jolla, CA
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Auricular acupuncture in people with Musculoskeletal Pain, run by University of California, San Diego at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 May 2017. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Primary musculoskeletal pain (time frame: 12 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 May 2017; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.