accupuncture ptsd

Accupuncture for PTSD?

Exercise, nutrition, sleep strategies, have been shown to help improve a variety of mental health conditions (1).

A previous post discussed yoga for ptsd (2). This post looks at a recent study using acupuncture for ptsd (3)

What is PTSD? (4)

According to the National Institute of Mental health, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (4):

  • Is a disorder that develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event
  • The main symptoms of PTSD include traumatic experience, arousal/anxiety and re-experiencing symptoms, thought or mood disturbances
  • Treatment typically involves counseling and or medications
  • Learn more about signs, symptoms and treatment of ptsd here: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd

What was the study? (3)

In a randomized trial of 93 veterans with combat-related PTSD compared twice-weekly acupuncture for 24 sessions compared to sham acupuncture with superficial needle insertion (2).

What were the results ?(3)

In an 80 point clinician administered symptom scale, the acupuncture group showed a 14.5 point reduction from baseline vs versus 7.5 point reduction for the sham group (2).

What are some caveats?

  • This is 1 small study and further study is needed
  • Results in the veteran population may not necessarily generalize to other populations such as college students
  • There are other studies showing benefits of acupuncture for ptsd (5,6,7,8)
  • It is unclear which patients with ptsd may benefit from acupuncture as a treatment option.
  • Due to limited evidence, this service may not be covered by insurance for ptsd.

Additional resources for PTSD:

By Ryan S Patel DO, FAPA OSU-CCS Psychiatrist

Disclaimer: This article is intended to be informative only. It is advised that you check with your own physician/mental health provider before implementing any changes. With this article, the author is not rendering medical advice, nor diagnosing, prescribing, or treating any condition, or injury; and therefore claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or injury caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the material presented.

 

References

  1. Patel R. Mental Health For College Students Chapter 9: Exercise strategies to improve mental health
  1. https://u.osu.edu/emotionalfitness/2024/05/31/yoga-for-ptsd/
  1. Hollifield M, Hsiao AF, Smith T, et al. Acupuncture for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry 2024; 81:545.
  2. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
  1. Engel  CC, Cordova EH, Benedek  DM,  et al.  Randomized effectiveness trial of a brief course of acupuncture for posttraumatic stress disorder.   Med Care. 2014;52(12)(suppl 5):S57-S64. doi:1097/MLR.0000000000000237
  2. Kim  SH, Schneider SM, Kravitz  L, Mermier  C, Burge  MR.  Mind-body practices for posttraumatic stress disorder.   J Investig Med. 2013;61(5):827-834. doi:2310/JIM.0b013e3182906862
  3. King  HC, Spence DL, Hickey  AH, Sargent  P, Elesh  R, Connelly  CD.  Auricular acupuncture for sleep disturbance in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: a feasibility study.   Mil Med. 2015;180(5):582-590. doi:7205/MILMED-D-14-00451
  4. Moiraghi  C, Poli  P, Piscitelli  A.  An observational study on acupuncture for earthquake-related post-traumatic stress disorder: the experience of the Lombard Association of Medical Acupuncturists/Acupuncture in the world, in Amatrice, Central Italy.   Med Acupunct. 2019;31(2):116-122. doi:10.1089/acu.2018.1329