A Pilot Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effects of Acupuncture in Patients on Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation

Inclusion Criteria: Consecutive male and post-menopausal female patients expected to require more than 24 hours of mechanical ventilation will be included. Exclusion Criteria: * Children \< 18 years of age * Patients with active resuscitation (fluid boluses greater than 2 Liter per hour, rapid transfusions, titration of vasoactive medication) * Patients with hemodynamic instability: heart rate less than 40/min or greater than 120/min, SBP \< 90 or \> 180 mm Hg for longer than 2 continuous hours * Patients who are pregnant or pre-menopausal * Patients with expected survival less than 6 3 months * Major deformities of the upper or lower extremities and/or any active skin lesions or ulcers in acupuncture treatment areas. * Patients with a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device