Confirming the Effects of Acupuncture Treatments to Relieve Symptoms of Gulf War Illness

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · Dec 3, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating whether acupuncture can help relieve symptoms experienced by veterans who have Gulf War Illness, also known as Persian Gulf Syndrome. The study will involve two groups of veterans: one group will receive acupuncture treatments twice a month for six months, while the other group will wait for two months before starting weekly acupuncture sessions for four months. Researchers will measure the participants' physical health at the beginning of the study and then again at two, four, and six months to see if there are improvements.

To participate in this trial, veterans must have served in specific areas during the Gulf War and experience at least two symptoms related to fatigue, mood and cognition, or musculoskeletal issues, with some of these symptoms being severe. However, individuals who are currently involved in another clinical trial or have certain other medical issues may not be eligible. This trial is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to provide valuable information about how acupuncture might help improve the well-being of veterans suffering from these complex symptoms.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Deployed to the Gulf Theater of operations (as defined by 38 CFR 3.317, includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and the airspace above all of these locations) between August 1990 and the present date
• * Have at least 2 of the following symptoms from the 3 CDC clusters of symptom that have lasted for more than 6 months. Each symptom cluster must be characterized as mild-moderate or severe, with at least one symptom in each cluster required to be severe. The clusters are:
• • A. Fatigability: fatigue 24 hours or more after exertion B. Mood and Cognition: feeling depressed; feeling irritable; difficulty thinking or concentrating; feeling worried, tense, anxious; problems finding words; or problems getting to sleep C. Musculoskeletal: joint pain or muscle pain
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Currently enrolled in another clinical trial
• • Have another disease that likely could account for the symptoms, as determined by our Medical Monitor
• • Severe psychiatric illness (in the last 2 years psychiatric hospitalization, suicidal attempt, alcohol or substance abuse, use of antipsychotic medication) as measured by the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorder (Prime MD).
• • Unable to complete the protocol on based on the evaluation of the Medical Monitor.