The Effect of Acupuncture on Anxiety and Working Memory

This study endeavors to examine the relationship between acupuncture, anxiety, and performance on a test of working memory. In the study, all participants will complete the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) survey to determine how anxious they are at the moment and how anxious they tend to be in general. Then ½ of subjects will receive acupuncture for 20 minutes and ½ will rest quietly for 20 minutes. After this period, all subjects will again complete the STAI survey. Then all subjects will complete the Automated Operations Span Task (AOSPAN) which is a computerized test of working memory. Statistical analysis will be performed to determine if acupuncture had any effect on State-level anxiety and on performance on the AOSPAN.

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Key information

Conditions

Memory Impairment Anxiety Anxiety Disorders Memory Disorders Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurobehavioral Manifestations Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Tiffani Kim Institute, Chicago, Illinois, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

Undergraduate University student
Fluent in English
Willing to receive acupuncture
Aged 18-30
In good health
Not pregnant
Not breastfeeding

Exclusion criteria

Not an Undergraduate University student
Not fluent in English
Unwilling to receive acupuncture
Under 18 years of age or older than 30 years of age
Chronic disease
Pregnant
Breastfeeding

Treatment and study plan

Acupuncture

Procedure

After completing questionnaires and anxiety survey, a licensed acupuncturist will insert needles according to Clean Needle Technique into specific acupuncture points. Procedure will last 20 minutes.Following acupuncture treatment, participants will complete anxiety survey and memory test.

Primary outcomes

Change in anxiety level

Time frame: Baseline and after1 hour

Participants will complete the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory survey to see how anxious they are initially; after acupuncture treatment or quiet resting, they will complete the survey again to see how anxious they are after the intervention.
Memory task

Time frame: After 1 hour

Following acupuncture treatment or resting control, participants will complete a standardized memory test (AOSPAN) to see if intervention affects memory.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National University of Health Sciences

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2011
Primary completion: 2011
Study completion: 2011
First posted: Dec 15, 2011
Registry last updated: Apr 15, 2015

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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