Battlefield Acupuncture for the Treatment of Low Back Pain in the Emergency Department
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Back Pain, Back Pain |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Musculoskeletal |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 5/6/2016 |
| Start Date: | March 2015 |
| End Date: | April 2016 |
The purpose of this study is to study acupuncture for the treatment of low back pain in the
emergency department. Current treatments for low back pain in the emergency department
generally include pills or injections of medications to treat pain and relax muscles.
However, it is known that many of these medications have risks and toxicities which may
limit their safe use in some patients. Therefore, new types of treatments are needed.
Acupuncture is an ancient form of healing that has been practiced in some form for
centuries. In modern times, acupuncture has been studied for the long-term treatment of low
back pain and some research suggests it may be effective. However, very little research has
examined the use of acupuncture for immediate pain relief in the emergency department.
This research will study a type of acupuncture called Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA).
Battlefield acupuncture was designed by a physician in the US military with the purpose of
providing immediate pain relief. It involves the placement of 5 small needles in each ear.
The needles may be removed at any time. The hypothesis of this study is that battlefield
acupuncture may improve mobility and pain of patients with low back pain in the emergency
department.
emergency department. Current treatments for low back pain in the emergency department
generally include pills or injections of medications to treat pain and relax muscles.
However, it is known that many of these medications have risks and toxicities which may
limit their safe use in some patients. Therefore, new types of treatments are needed.
Acupuncture is an ancient form of healing that has been practiced in some form for
centuries. In modern times, acupuncture has been studied for the long-term treatment of low
back pain and some research suggests it may be effective. However, very little research has
examined the use of acupuncture for immediate pain relief in the emergency department.
This research will study a type of acupuncture called Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA).
Battlefield acupuncture was designed by a physician in the US military with the purpose of
providing immediate pain relief. It involves the placement of 5 small needles in each ear.
The needles may be removed at any time. The hypothesis of this study is that battlefield
acupuncture may improve mobility and pain of patients with low back pain in the emergency
department.
The researchers will review the chief complaints of patients arriving to the emergency
department in epic. Subjects will be identified and recruited in the emergency department
based on chief complaint of "back pain". Subjects will be approached by a researcher who
will then recruit them to participate in the study using the attached informed consent form.
Researchers will not be acting as treating physicians at the time of the study.
50 patients that present to the emergency setting with the complaint of low back pain will
be randomized to standard care or standard care plus Battlefield Acupuncture. The patients
randomized to receive Battlefield Acupuncture will receive the treatment according to the
defined protocol, which involves placement of ASP indwelling needles in up to 5 auricular
points. One ear will be selected, and the areas which will be needled will identified and
prepped with alcohol to reduce risks of infection. Up to 5 sterile ASP semi- permanent
needles will be placed. Treatments will be provided by MDs or PAs who have been trained to
administer the Battlefield Acupuncture technique.
All patients will complete pre- and post- treatment surveys regarding their pain rating and
functional limitation from pain. Additional data will be collected from EPIC regarding
demographic information, medication administration, and length of stay.
Data will be collected from the subject at the time of enrollment, and again one hour
following enrollment. No further data will be collected directly from subjects. Additional
follow-up data regarding medications prescribed and length of stay will be collected from
the chart after patient discharge.
department in epic. Subjects will be identified and recruited in the emergency department
based on chief complaint of "back pain". Subjects will be approached by a researcher who
will then recruit them to participate in the study using the attached informed consent form.
Researchers will not be acting as treating physicians at the time of the study.
50 patients that present to the emergency setting with the complaint of low back pain will
be randomized to standard care or standard care plus Battlefield Acupuncture. The patients
randomized to receive Battlefield Acupuncture will receive the treatment according to the
defined protocol, which involves placement of ASP indwelling needles in up to 5 auricular
points. One ear will be selected, and the areas which will be needled will identified and
prepped with alcohol to reduce risks of infection. Up to 5 sterile ASP semi- permanent
needles will be placed. Treatments will be provided by MDs or PAs who have been trained to
administer the Battlefield Acupuncture technique.
All patients will complete pre- and post- treatment surveys regarding their pain rating and
functional limitation from pain. Additional data will be collected from EPIC regarding
demographic information, medication administration, and length of stay.
Data will be collected from the subject at the time of enrollment, and again one hour
following enrollment. No further data will be collected directly from subjects. Additional
follow-up data regarding medications prescribed and length of stay will be collected from
the chart after patient discharge.
Inclusion criteria:
- adult
- English-speaking participants
- over the age of 18
- come to the emergency department with the chief complaint of low back pain.
Exclusion criteria:
- any focal neurological deficit
- prior back surgery, acute trauma,
- new weakness
- new loss bowel/bladder control
- back pain above T12
- receiving coumadin or plavix
- Pregnancy. Female patients will be offered pregnancy testing which they can elect to
take.
- Temperature >38C,
- positive urinalysis (UTI or pregnancy). Urinalysis will not be requested if not
deemed clinically relevant by the treating team, as this may delay patient care and
discharge.
We found this trial at
1
site
1428 Madison Ave
New York, New York 10029
New York, New York 10029
(212) 241-6500
Phone: 212-824-8050
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is...
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