Acupuncture for Perceived Stress in Military Personnel

Study Summary

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 s

Primary Outcome

Descriptive statistics will be used to describe the following: a) the sample, b) critical demographic, and service information of the participants, c) the number of individuals screened for the study versus the number of participants, and d) the number of participants who completed all visits versus the number of participants who withdrew from the study. The analysis of this aim will be qualitative in nature. At the end of the study, a text summary of feasibility of study procedures will be prov

Interventions

• PROCEDURE Acupuncture