Acupuncture for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

This study will evaluate: 1) the TCM diagnostic differentiation patterns of people who have PTSD as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition; 2) if an acupuncture treatment approach is acceptable to people with PTSD; and 3) if an acupuncture treatment approach is associated with a reduction in PTSD symptoms that is comparable to that of standard treatments. Because symptoms of depression, insomnia, and pain are often associated with PTSD, we will also evaluate the potential benefit of an acupuncture approach to depression, insomnia, and pain symptoms in people with PTSD.

Patients in this study will be randomized to one of three groups. Group A will receive acupuncture therapy. Group B will receive standard Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Group C is a control group and will receive no treatment. Patients in Groups A and B will undergo a total of 24 hours of therapy over the 3 month study course. All patients will have five nontherapeutic study visits; these visits will address diagnosis and assessment. Study visits will include assessments of PTSD symptoms, sleep symptoms, and level of impairment.

Inclusion criteria

• DSM-IV diagnosis of PTSD
• Stage I PTSD symptoms
• PTSD Symptom Scale-Self Report (PSS-SR) score > 16
• Meets PSS-SR diagnostic criteria

Exclusion criteria

• Stage I substance abuse and/or dependence in the past 6 months
• Psychotic disorder
• Inability to commit to treatment or wait-list conditions
• Current treatment specifically for PTSD
• Certain medical conditions, including thyroid disease, class IV heart failure, active cancer treatment, and uncontrolled diabetes
• Pregnant
• Use of benzodiazepines, narcotics, opiates, narcotic antagonists, sleep medication, muscle relaxants, analgesics, or sedatives.