The purpose of this study was to examine if group ear acupuncture improves Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder sleep difficulties among veterans who participated in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. This study also examined the degree of veteran acceptance for a group ear acupuncture procedure.
Background: Approximately 70-91% of veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) report insomnia. Presently, conventional treatments for PTSD-related insomnia include medications, psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. While some of these conventional treatments do improve PTSD-related insomnia, many of these treatments have limitations (e.g., medication effects, lengthy time commitments, psycho-social stigma). Because of these limitations, many veterans are increasingly turning to complementary and alternative therapies to relieve their symptoms. There is a growing body of research that shows that acupuncture may improve many health symptoms including depression, PTSD, addiction, headaches, musculoskeletal pain, and insomnia. However, to date, no study has specifically explored how acupuncture may affect PTSD-related insomnia. Because so many veterans with PTSD experience PTSD-related insomnia, and because the current conflicts in Southwest Asia are producing a new generation of combat veterans, it is critical that the VA explore innovative treatments for PTSD-related health concerns.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
35
Received true group auricular acupuncture
Received sham auricular acupuncture.
Received conventional care only. Eligible to receive true group auricular acupuncture once study period completed.
Washington DC VA Medical Center, Washington, DC
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States
Perceived Sleep Quality
Perceived sleep quality: subjective assessment of how restorative and undisturbed sleep has been. Measured by Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Morin sleep diary refreshness and soundness ratings. ISI: 7-item, self-report questionnaire based on DSM-IV criteria for insomnia. ISI scores range from 0 to 28 with higher scores reflecting greater insomnia. Total scores were reported, and an ISI cutoff total score of \> 8 is indicative of probable insomnia. The Morin Sleep Diary refreshness and soundness ratings are based on a 5-point Likert scale with scores ranging from 1 to 5. Scores for these two questions were reported and higher scores indicate higher perceived sleep quality.
Time frame: t=2 months
Fragmented Sleep Patterns-Total Sleep Time, Sleep Latency, and Naps
Disruptive sleep patterns were analyzed by looking at Total Sleep Time (TST), Sleep Latency (SL), and Naps (short episodes of sleep at times other than bedtime). Morin sleep diaries (MSD) and wrist actigraphs (WA) were the study instruments used to collect this data.
Time frame: t=2 months
Hypnotic Medication Use
Amount of sleep medication taken by study participants. Measured by looking at demographic questionnaire results, chart reviews and Morin sleep diary (MSD).
Time frame: t=2 months
Attrition Rates
Examined attendance rates in attending group sessions to examine attrition rates.
Time frame: t=2 months
Number of Participants That Were Satisfied Based on Veteran Satisfaction Scores for True Group Acupuncture vs. Sham Group Acupuncture
Time frame: t= 2 months
Fragmented Sleep Patterns-Sleep Efficiency
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Disruptive sleep patterns that were analyzed by looking at Sleep Efficiency(SE). Morin sleep diaries (MSD) and wrist actigraphs (WA) were the study instruments used to collect this data.
Time frame: t=2 months