Assessing the Feasibility of Integrating Ear Acupuncture Into the Aeromedical Evacuation System From RAB to AAFB

Samueli Institute for Information Biology

Status: Completed

Conditions: Musculoskeletal Pain

Treatments: Device: Ear acupuncture

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01278355

C.2010.041dt

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is twofold: 1) to test the feasibility of integrating a simple bilateral ear acupuncture procedure (Auricular Stimulation Procedure - ASP) into the standard care delivered in the Aeromedical Evacuation system and 2) to observe and document any changes in pain scores and in-flight related symptoms and factors (e.g. sinus block/pain, ear block pain, nausea/air sickness) typically monitored during transportation of wounded warriors from Ramstein Air Base (RAB) to Andrews Air Force Base (AAFB).

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18 or over
• NRS Pain rating > 0
• Military beneficiaries undergoing aeromedical evacuation from RAB to AAFB

Exclusion criteria

• Medically unstable or otherwise unable to participate including those with the inability to consent
• Allergy to metals
• Ear trauma
• Sepsis
• Unhealed wounds on the ears
• Piercing or scar tissue in any of the ear acupuncture point areas
• Pregnancy

Trial design

40 participants in 1 patient group

Pain Patients

Treatment:

Device: Ear acupuncture