Translational Research Examining Acupuncture Treatment in Traumatic Brain Injury
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Hospital, Neurology |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology, Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 50 |
| Updated: | 10/14/2017 |
| Start Date: | November 2015 |
| End Date: | May 2016 |
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of acupuncture on cerebral blood flow
(CBF) and blood biomarkers during the acute 10-day window following traumatic brain injury,
to determine if those changes correlate with changes in biomarkers of brain health,
neuropsychological testing, and symptomatic presentation.
(CBF) and blood biomarkers during the acute 10-day window following traumatic brain injury,
to determine if those changes correlate with changes in biomarkers of brain health,
neuropsychological testing, and symptomatic presentation.
The primary aim of this study is to examine the effects of acupuncture on brain function and
cognition during the acute 10-day window following mild traumatic brain injury.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) affect an estimated 1.7 to 2.3 million Americans every year.
As the clinical importance of managing those with TBI grows, it is essential that therapies
to help in the recovery and management of post-concussion symptoms are identified. Currently,
the number one recommended treatment strategy is physical and cognitive rest, followed by
gradual return to daily activities and exercise.
Cerebral blood flow declines following TBI, and can remain in a depressed state for ongoing
lengths of time. The cellular vulnerability and symptomatic presentation following TBI is
likely due to the metabolic imbalance between decreased cerebral blood flow and increased
demand for glucose and adenosine triphosphate production. Animal and human studies have shown
that acupuncture at locations both locally on the head and neck, as well as distally on the
arms, hands, legs, and feet, can increase cerebral blood flow through the middle cerebral
artery, anterior cerebral artery, and basilar artery.
Acupuncture has a long history of use in the treatment of acute and chronic pain, headaches,
migraines, nausea, anxiety, and sleep disorders, however, studies specific to the utilization
of acupuncture in managing symptoms following TBI are lacking.
The investigators hypothesize that that acupuncture treatments may improve cerebral blood
flow resulting in overall improvements in brain function and cognition following TBI.
Acupuncture may provide a safe treatment to improve outcomes following a TBI, and increase
the rate of recovery.
cognition during the acute 10-day window following mild traumatic brain injury.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) affect an estimated 1.7 to 2.3 million Americans every year.
As the clinical importance of managing those with TBI grows, it is essential that therapies
to help in the recovery and management of post-concussion symptoms are identified. Currently,
the number one recommended treatment strategy is physical and cognitive rest, followed by
gradual return to daily activities and exercise.
Cerebral blood flow declines following TBI, and can remain in a depressed state for ongoing
lengths of time. The cellular vulnerability and symptomatic presentation following TBI is
likely due to the metabolic imbalance between decreased cerebral blood flow and increased
demand for glucose and adenosine triphosphate production. Animal and human studies have shown
that acupuncture at locations both locally on the head and neck, as well as distally on the
arms, hands, legs, and feet, can increase cerebral blood flow through the middle cerebral
artery, anterior cerebral artery, and basilar artery.
Acupuncture has a long history of use in the treatment of acute and chronic pain, headaches,
migraines, nausea, anxiety, and sleep disorders, however, studies specific to the utilization
of acupuncture in managing symptoms following TBI are lacking.
The investigators hypothesize that that acupuncture treatments may improve cerebral blood
flow resulting in overall improvements in brain function and cognition following TBI.
Acupuncture may provide a safe treatment to improve outcomes following a TBI, and increase
the rate of recovery.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 18-50
- Documented TBI (for TBI-ACUP and TBI-SHAM arms)
- Visual acuity and hearing adequate for outcomes testing
- Fluency in English
- Ability to provide informed consent
- Acupuncture naïve
Exclusion Criteria:
- Significant polytrauma that may interfere with follow-up and outcome assessment
- Patients with major debilitating baseline mental health disorders that would interfere
with the validity of outcome assessment due to TBI
- Patients on psychiatric hold
- Patients with major debilitating baseline neurological diseases impairing baseline
awareness, cognition, or validity of outcome assessment due to TBI
- Significant history of pre-existing conditions that would interfere with the
likelihood of follow-up and validity of outcome assessment due to TBI
- Pregnancy in female subjects
- Prisoners or patients in custody
- Current participation in an observational or intervention trial for TBI
- Non-English speakers
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