Testing Acupuncture to Relieve Symptoms of Gulf War Illness in Veterans Phase II Study with Personalized Treatments and Biweekly Sessions

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the effects of personalized acupuncture treatments on veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Illness GWI, a complex condition marked by symptoms like fatigue, sleep and mood problems, cognitive issues, and muscle pain. This trial builds on prior research showing acupuncture may improve pain and function in this population. It is a Phase II, unblinded study that compares two different acupuncture treatment schedules to better understand their impact on the physical health of veterans with GWI. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one group will receive acupuncture twice a week for six months, and the other will wait for two months before receiving weekly acupuncture for four months. Treatments involve sterile needles applied by licensed practitioners with at least five years of experience plus additional study training. Measurements will be taken at the start, 2, 4, and 6 months, focusing on physical health improvements. During the study, veterans will complete assessments including questionnaires and medical evaluations to measure symptom severity and physical function. Blood samples will be collected to explore biological markers related to GWI and treatment effects. The main outcome is the change in physical health after six months, measured by the SF-36 physical component scale. The study will monitor progress and safety throughout the treatment period, lasting up to six months.

Confirming the Effects of Acupuncture Treatments to Relieve Symptoms of Gulf War Illness