Acupuncture for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to evaluate acupuncture as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and to correlate the diagnosis of PTSD with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnostic patterns.

Detailed Description
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This study will evaluate: 1) the TCM diagnostic differentiation patterns of people who have PTSD as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition; 2) if an acupuncture treatment approach is acceptable to people with PTSD; and 3) if an acupuncture treatment approach is associated with a reduction in PTSD symptoms that is comparable to that of standard treatments. Because symptoms of depression, insomnia, and pain are often associated with PTSD, we will also evaluate the potential benefit of an acupuncture approach to depression, insomnia, and pain symptoms in people with PTSD. Patients in this study will be randomized to one of three groups. Group A will receive acupuncture therapy. Group B will receive standard Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Group C is a control group and will receive no treatment. Patients in Groups A and B will undergo a total of 24 hours of therapy over the 3 month study course. All patients will have five nontherapeutic study visits; these visits will address diagnosis and assessment. Study visits will include assessments of PTSD symptoms, sleep symptoms, and level of impairment.

Official Title
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Acupuncture Diagnosis and Treatment of DSM-IV PTSD

Conditions
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Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Acupuncture
* Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria DSM-IV diagnosis of PTSD Stage I PTSD symptoms PTSD Symptom Scale-Self Report (PSS-SR) score > 16 Meets PSS-SR diagnostic criteria Exclusion Criteria Stage I substance abuse and/or dependence in the past 6 months Psychotic disorder Inability to commit to treatment or wait-list conditions Current treatment specifically for PTSD Certain medical conditions, including thyroid disease, class IV heart failure, active cancer treatment, and uncontrolled diabetes Pregnant Use of benzodiazepines, narcotics, opiates, narcotic antagonists, sleep medication, muscle relaxants, analgesics, or sedatives.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Procedure: Acupuncture|nan|
|Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy|nan|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Acupuncture, Medicine, Chinese Traditional