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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT01614444

Acupressure and Stress Resilience

The current study will assess the efficacy of acupressure, a type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the Veteran population. Veterans with co-occurring mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will be consented and randomly assigned to either an active or placebo acupressure treatment series of 8 sessions. The investigators will determine if acupressure affects aspects of day-to-day function, such as memory, sleep, mood, psychiatric health and stress resilience. This information will help identify potential treatment strategies to improve quality of life and overall function in this particular Veteran population.

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Key information

Conditions

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Brain Concussion Brain Diseases Brain Injuries Brain Injuries, Traumatic Central Nervous System Diseases Craniocerebral Trauma Head Injuries, Closed Mental Disorders Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Nervous System Diseases Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders Trauma, Nervous System Wounds and Injuries Wounds, Nonpenetrating

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Denver VAMC

Denver, Colorado, 80220, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Between the ages of 18-60
  • Diagnosis of mild TBI and PTSD as assessed by interview and/or chart review
  • Currently receiving or eligible to receive physical and/or mental healthcare through the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System

Exclusion criteria

  • History of other significant neurological disease (e.g., Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis etc.) as assessed by interview and/or chart review. Such conditions could affect outcome measures independently, thereby creating an experimental confound.
  • History or diagnosis of lifetime moderate to severe TBI, as assessed by interview and/or chart review.
  • History of psychotic disorder or bipolar I disorder as assessed by structured interview. Such conditions could affect outcome measures independently, thereby creating an experimental confound.
  • Inability to read the informed consent document or adequately respond to questions regarding the informed consent procedure.
  • Prior experience with acupressure, as this would result in individuals potentially being able to detect Placebo treatments if randomly assigned to that group.

Treatment and study plan

Active Acupressure Treatment

Other

Participant will receive 8 active acupressure treatments.

Placebo Acupressure Treatment

Other

Participants will receive 8 placebo acupressure treatments.

Primary outcomes

  1. Trier Social Stress Test

    Time frame: 72 hours post final acupressure treatment

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System

Fed

Collaborators

  • United States Department of Defense
  • University of Colorado, Boulder

Registry information

Official study title

Using Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) to Promote Stress Resilience in Those With Co-Occurring Mild TBI and PTSD

Important dates

Study start
2012
Primary completion
2014
Study completion
2017
First posted
Jun 8, 2012
Registry last updated
May 19, 2017

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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