RAND: Acupuncture helps PTSD treatment

This graph charts the results of a 58-patient clinical study
that used acupuncture to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.

Randomized Effectiveness Trial of a Brief Course of Acupuncture for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder | RAND

BACKGROUND:

Initial post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) care is often delayed and many with PTSD go untreated. Acupuncture appears to be a safe, potentially non-stigmatizing treatment that reduces symptoms of
anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, but little is known about its effect on PTSD.

METHODS:

Fifty-five service members meeting research diagnostic criteria for PTSD were randomized to usual PTSD care (UPC) plus eight 60-minute sessions of acupuncture conducted twice weekly or to UPC alone. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 4, 8, and 12 weeks postrandomization. The primary study outcomes were difference in PTSD symptom improvement on the PTSD Checklist (PCL) and the Clinician-administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) from baseline to 12-week follow-up between the 2 treatment groups. Secondary outcomes were depression, pain severity, and mental and physical health functioning. Mixed model regression and t test analyses were applied to the data.

RESULTS:

Mean improvement in PTSD severity was significantly greater among those receiving acupuncture than in those receiving UPC (PCLΔ=19.8±13.3 vs. 9.7±12.9, P<0.001; CAPSΔ=35.0±20.26 vs.
10.9±20.8, P<0.0001). Acupuncture was also associated with significantly greater improvements in depression, pain, and physical and mental health functioning. Pre-post effect-sizes for these outcomes
were large and robust.

CONCLUSIONS:

Acupuncture was effective for reducing PTSD symptoms. Limitations included small sample size and
inability to parse specific treatment mechanisms. Larger multisite trials with longer follow-up, comparisons to standard PTSD treatments, and assessments of treatment acceptability are needed. Acupuncture is a novel therapeutic option that may help to improve population reach of PTSD treatment.

Related/Background: 

• Clinical Comprehensive Case Presentation - Evaluating_the_Efficacy_of_Acupuncture_as_a_Treatment_for_Posttraumatic_Stress_
  in_Military_Personnel.pdf
• Complementary and Alternative Treatments for PTSD - v23n2.pdf
• Acupuncture for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Review of Evidence-Based Research | Natural Medicine Journal 
• Acupuncture gaining acceptance as a treatment for stress, anxiety and PTSD | PennLive.com
• A pointed question: Can science study acupuncture?