The Acupuncture for Pain, Opioid Use Disorder and Mood

NCT ID: NCT06543355

Last Updated: 2025-08-28

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

17 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-01-06

Study Completion Date

2025-06-04

Brief Summary

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The goal of this study is to determine how patients with chronic pain and opioid use disorder will respond to treatment with acupuncture, including whether there will be any changes in mood (as an exploratory outcome). Results from this study have the potential to inform future studies in patients who would consider using acupuncture as an intervention for their conditions.

Detailed Description

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In this 4-week pilot study, the feasibility of recruiting a sample of participants in a modified Battlefield Acupuncture + National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (BFA + NADA) protocol will be assessed. Utilizing a novel BFA (Battlefield Acupuncture) plus a NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) protocol, approximately 20 participants with chronic pain and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD), receiving Methadone through an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) at Montefiore Medical Center, will be recruited. Each participant will receive a modified BFA + NADA treatment, twice per week over 4 weeks for a total of 8 treatments at the clinic. All participants will also have the small seeds placed to facilitate at-home acupressure treatment. In this feasibility study, the investigator team will collect feasibility data from each participant at every session over the course of 4 weeks. Feasibility outcomes are defined in the Outcome Measures of this registration. As part of the study, the following will also be monitored to explore preliminary efficacy: (1) pain intensity and physical functioning, (2) opioid cravings and substance use, and (3) mood, insomnia, and stress. The research team will conduct surveys assessing pain, physical functions, the changes in stress, mood, insomnia and psychological changes at baseline, and before and after every treatment. These will all be exploratory as this is a feasibility study.

Note: Following discussions with the Principal Investigator and Sponsor this study was re-categorized as a feasibility study.

Conditions

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Chronic Pain Opioid Use Disorder Mood Change Opioid Misuse Opioid-Related Disorders

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Acupuncture
Primary Study Purpose

DEVICE_FEASIBILITY

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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BFA + NADA protocol

Modified BFA + NADA treatment, twice per week over 4 weeks for a total of 8 treatments at the clinic. All participants will also have the small seeds placed to facilitate at-home acupressure treatment

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Modified Battlefield Acupuncture + National Acupuncture Detoxification Association protocol

Intervention Type DEVICE

The delivery of modified BFA + NADA will be administered in a setting designed to ensure that patients are comfortable, with their backs well-supported. With regards to needling technique, participants' ears will be cleaned, and sterile acupuncture needles will be placed on the BFA or NADA points, using proper technique. Auricular acupuncture needles are thin, between 0.12 - 0.18mm, and are less than 1 inch long. The needles will remain in the ear until the session is complete. On the alternative ear, seeds are another modality of auricular acupuncture treatment that will be used. Seeds are comprised of small circular balls comprised of a natural plant, no more than 1.5 mm diameter size. The seeds are attached to a small piece of adhesive tape and are placed on one's ear. The seeds remain on the ear and the given point can be massaged and stimulated as indicated.

Interventions

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Modified Battlefield Acupuncture + National Acupuncture Detoxification Association protocol

The delivery of modified BFA + NADA will be administered in a setting designed to ensure that patients are comfortable, with their backs well-supported. With regards to needling technique, participants' ears will be cleaned, and sterile acupuncture needles will be placed on the BFA or NADA points, using proper technique. Auricular acupuncture needles are thin, between 0.12 - 0.18mm, and are less than 1 inch long. The needles will remain in the ear until the session is complete. On the alternative ear, seeds are another modality of auricular acupuncture treatment that will be used. Seeds are comprised of small circular balls comprised of a natural plant, no more than 1.5 mm diameter size. The seeds are attached to a small piece of adhesive tape and are placed on one's ear. The seeds remain on the ear and the given point can be massaged and stimulated as indicated.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. ≥18 years old,
2. English proficiency;
3. receiving methadone treatment at an OTP through the Montefiore network for at least 12 weeks, with no dose change in 14 days to ensure treatment stability;
4. chronic pain of at least moderate pain severity (score of at least 4 on the Pain, Enjoyment of Life and General Activity (PEG) scale);
5. willingness to participate in all study components; and
6. ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

1. Have pending surgery or invasive pain management procedure;
2. Have a pending or planned relocation;
3. have an acutely or exacerbation of psychotic, suicidal, or homicidal conditions that preclude the ability to participate; and
4. pregnancy
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Jessica Bayner, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Montefiore Medical Center

Locations

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Montefiore Division of Substance Abuse (DoSA) Wellness Center at Melrose

The Bronx, New York, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Provided Documents

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Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

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4RM1DA055437-02

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

2024-15724

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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