Many hospitalized patients experience pain during their hospital stay, and less than half report adequate pain relief. Common treatments for pain include opioid medications, which have associated side effects and complications. Research has shown that acupuncture is effective for surgical, postoperative and cancer-related pain, nausea, and vomiting. More research is needed on the effectiveness of adding acupuncture to routine care for hospitalized patients. The objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture delivered in a "real-world" setting according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine among hospitalized patients to manage pain and other symptoms. 250 hospitalized participants will be randomized in a 1 to 1 ratio to receive either 1) usual care or 2) usual care with acupuncture offered (125 in each group). The primary outcome measure will be change in daily pain intensity. Data on other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and depression, as well as functionality and quality of life will be collected in person, on a web-based survey, or via telephone follow-up. The aims of the study are to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture to manage pain and other symptoms among hospitalized patients; to evaluate the impact of acupuncture on patient satisfaction among hospitalized patients; and to estimate costs and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture among a subset of hospitalized patients. The investigators hypothesize that compared to hospitalized patients receiving usual care alone, hospitalized patients receiving acupuncture will have: 1. decreased pain severity 2. higher patient satisfaction
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
238
Acupuncture treatments will be provided in patient rooms up to four days per week for the duration of their hospital stay. Treatments will be consistent with how acupuncture is typically practiced: acupuncturists will diagnosis patients according to principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM); and treatments will be individualized to the patients. Duration of assessment, needle placement and retention will be 20-30 minutes.
UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion
San Francisco, California, United States
Self-reported pain
Daily pain intensity will be measured on a 0-10 numeric rating scale. The APS Patient Outcome Questionnaire will also be administered each day to measure pain severity and relief; impact of pain on activity, sleep, and negative emotions; side effects of treatment; helpfulness of information about pain treatment; and ability to participate in pain treatment decisions.
Time frame: Participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 6 days
Self-reported nausea and vomiting
Daily nausea and vomiting symptoms will be measured using the 2-question Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Scale.
Time frame: Participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 6 days
Self-reported anxiety and depression
Every other day, anxiety and depression will be measured using the 30-item Profile of Mood States questionnaire.
Time frame: Participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 6 days
Functionality and quality of life
Functionality and quality of life will be measured using the EQ-5D questionnaire at baseline and within 3 days of hospital discharge.
Time frame: Participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay and for several days after hospital discharge, an expected total average of 9 days
Patient satisfaction
Within 3 days after hospital discharge, participants will be contacted to answer questions about their recent hospital stay, including questions about communication with clinicians, responsiveness of hospital staff, cleanliness and quietness of the hospital environment, pain management, and overall experience in the hospital.
Time frame: Participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay and for several days after hospital discharge, an expected total average of 9 days
Self-reported global well-being
Every other day, global well-being will be measured using the single item Arizona Integrated Outcomes Scale.
Time frame: Participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 6 days
Self-reported global rating of change
On the last day of hospitalization, the patient's minimal clinically important difference in pain will be measured using the single item Patient Global Impression of Change Scale.
Time frame: Participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 6 days
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