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Battlefield Acupuncture for Low Back Pain
NCT03491124 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) on outcomes for pain, sleep, and physical activity level in an active duty military sample with subacute or chronic lower back pain (LBP). BFA is a form of auricular acupuncture (AA) that has been implemented in many Department of Defense (DoD)/Veterans Affairs (VA) medical settings to alleviate acute or chronic pain. BFA uses five predetermined locations in a defined sequence to place semi-permanent needles in the ear. Subacute lower back pain is pain that has persistently lasted from four to twelve weeks. Chronic lower back pain is pain that lasts more than 12 weeks. Hypothesis 1: Participants with subacute or chronic LBP will have reduced pain using BFA as compared to placebo. Hypothesis 2: Participants with subacute or chronic LBP will have improved physical activity using BFA as compared to placebo. Hypothesis 3: Participants with subacute or chronic LBP will have improved sleep quality as compared to placebo. The secondary study aims are: 1. To explore the effects of BFA two weeks following the treatment for LBP. 1. Do positive outcomes appreciated with BFA persist over two weeks? 2. What is the pain medication usage during and after intervention treatments? 2. To explore the effectiveness of BFA on trunk flexion mobility and balance. 1. Does pain reduction improve trunk flexion and balance? 2. Does improved truck flexion mobility and balance contribute to increased physical activity?
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- OTHER Sham Treatment
- OTHER Auricular Acupuncture
Study Locations (1)
Maryland
- Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center — Andrews Air Force Base
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 48 participants |
| Start Date | 2018-03-23 |
| Est. Completion | 2021-02-28 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT03491124
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT03491124 describes a study currently listed as completed. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 48 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is The Geneva Foundation, which has 6 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 2 conditions, with Low Back Pain appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which Sham Treatment is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT03491124 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Maryland. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT03491124 about?
NCT03491124 is a clinical study titled "Battlefield Acupuncture for Low Back Pain". The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) on outcomes for pain, sleep, and physical activity level in an active duty military sample with subacute or chronic lower back pain (LBP). BFA is a form of auricular acupuncture (AA) that has been implemented in ma...
What is the current status of trial NCT03491124?
This trial is currently completed. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 48 participants. The study started on 2018-03-23. Estimated completion is 2021-02-28.
What conditions does trial NCT03491124 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Low Back Pain, Chronic Low Back Pain. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT03491124?
The interventions under investigation include: Sham Treatment (OTHER), Auricular Acupuncture (OTHER). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT03491124?
This trial is sponsored by The Geneva Foundation, which has 6 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT03491124 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Maryland. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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