The purpose of this study is to compare two types of acupuncture with usual care on treating chronic pain. This study has three groups. Two groups will received acupuncture. One group will receive usual standard of care for 12 weeks and then will receive acupuncture. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique of using very thin needles inserted in the skin to treat different symptoms and illness, and to promote healing. Each group will undergo a different method of needle administration.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
360
Participants will receive 10 treatment of Electro-Acupuncture over the course of 10 weeks (with a maximum of 2 treatments per week). The acupuncturist will insert acupuncture needles in at least 4 local points around the body with the most pain and at least 4 distant points to address the patient's baseline constitution. The needles will be electrically stimulate at 2 Hz by connecting to a TENS unit. The needles will be in place for 30 minutes.
Participants will receive 10 treatment of Battle Field Acupuncture over the course of 10 weeks (with a maximum of 2 treatments per week). Acupuncture needles will be placed in the participants' ears. The total duration of BFA delivery is about 10 to 20 minutes depending on how many needles are used in the procedure.
After the waiting period (12 weeks from randomization), participants in the WLC will receive up to ten treatments of either EA or BFA based on their personal preference.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge
Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth
Middletown, New Jersey, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen
Montvale, New Jersey, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Commack
Commack, New York, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester
Harrison, New York, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, United States
Memorial Sloan Kettering Rockville Centre
Rockville Centre, New York, United States
Pain intensity and pain interference will be measured by using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) measure.
Time frame: 12 weeks
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