Acupuncture for Disturbed Sleep in Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

Purpose: To examine whether the use of an auricular acupuncture (AA) regimen improves sleep quality for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Design: A prospective, randomized, wait-list controlled feasibility study. Aim#1: Compare AA acceptability between veterans who receive AA with standard PTSD therapy or standard PTSD therapy alone. Aim #2: Compare sleep quality at baseline and at five weeks in veterans who receive AA with standard PTSD therapy or standard PTSD therapy alone. Aim #3: Compare PTSD and depressive symptoms at baseline and at week five in veterans who receive AA with standard PTSD therapy or standard PTSD therapy alone. Aim#4: Compare PTSD and depressive symptoms at baseline, week three, and week five between veterans who receive AA or receive standard PTSD therapy alone. Methods: Subjects were randomized to receive AA with PTSD treatment or PTSD treatment alone. Acceptability was evaluated using a likert scale, feasibility with a consort diagram. Sleep quality was evaluated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and actigraphy. Sample: Active duty veterans with PTSD in a residential PTSD treatment program. Analysis: Acupuncture acceptability between groups was analyzed utilizing a Likert 1-5 scale. RMANOVA was conducted to analyze PSQI scores and actigraphy data. Findings: There were n = 12/15 in the AA group and n = 8/14 in the control group. Attrition rates were higher in the control group (43% vs. 20%, P = 0.24). The AA group reported AA was a more acceptable treatment for sleep disturbance than subjects in the control group (AA median = 5 vs. control median = 3, P = 0.004). Significant differences between groups were found on sleep quality and daytime dysfunction components of the PSQI (p = 0.003, P = 0.004). Implications for Military Nursing: Military nurses can practice AA, which has expanded non-pharmacologic sleep treatments available to veterans with PTSD.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 25, 2014
Accession Number
ADA616278

Entities

People

  • Heather C. King

Organizations

  • University of San Diego

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acceptability
  • Active Duty
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Attrition
  • Cognition
  • Data Analysis
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Dysfunction
  • Education
  • Electronic Mail
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Doctrine
  • Pain
  • Therapy
  • Training
  • Traumatic Stress Disorder

Fields of Study

  • Medicine
  • Psychology

Readers

  • Battery Technology and Engineering
  • Circadian Sleep-Wake Regulation and Chronobiology
  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.