Rapid Extremity Pain Relief by Battlefield Acupuncture After Orthopedic Surgery

Overview

The purpose of this study is to determine if the addition of Battlefield Auricular Acupuncture (BFA) to standard therapy causes reduction in pain, medication use, time to ambulation without assistance, hours missed from work and increases quality of life after lower extremity surgery at two Air Force Medical Centers.

We will recruit 429subjects into this research study, for an expected 309 completing the study. We estimate 120 subjects will either withdraw consent or become ineligible for the study. Subjects will be ≥18 years or older and scheduled for lower extremity surgery. To randomize subjects, we will employ a random number generator, which will minimize difference between study groups. Additionally, we will collect data about patients' length of hospital stay, which will allow for statistical control of the variable, complexity of surgical procedure. The Research Assistants/Coordinators will be responsible for obtaining Informed Consent and HIPAA Authorization from subjects, collecting data, and de-identifying data prior to review and analysis by the Investigators. The Investigators will be responsible for ongoing protocol monitoring, insertion of needles, verifying inclusion/exclusion criteria, and analyzing data.

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (2)

Outcomes