Evaluating Ear Acupuncture with Mindfulness Therapy to Reduce Emotional Distress and PTSD Symptoms in Military Service Members and Veterans

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the effects of integrating ear acupuncture with mindfulness therapy to reduce emotional distress and improve symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD in military personnel and veterans. Emotional distress is a significant concern for service members due to the challenges faced during combat and peacetime. The study focuses on how these combined therapies might help alleviate emotional distress, sleep problems, pain, and alcohol use in this population. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one group will receive the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association NADA ear acupuncture protocol alongside weekly mindfulness therapy, while the other group will receive mindfulness therapy alone. The ear acupuncture involves inserting small, sterile semi-permanent needles into five specific points on both ears, which remain in place for 3 to 7 days. Mindfulness therapy sessions, lasting 30 minutes each, will be conducted weekly via the MS Teams platform. During the study, participants will be assessed using several measures including emotional distress, PTSD symptoms, insomnia severity, alcohol use, and pain levels at baseline, after 2 weeks, and after 4 weeks of intervention. The primary outcome is the change in emotional distress related to anger. Participants will engage in virtual mindfulness sessions and, if assigned, receive ear acupuncture treatment. The trial is expected to run until June 2028, with close monitoring of participant responses throughout the intervention period.

Auricular Acupuncture on Emotional Distress in Service Members and Veterans With PTSD