Key Finding
Acupuncture plus usual care resulted in significantly greater PTSD symptom reduction compared to usual care alone, with CAPS scores improving by 35.0 points versus 10.9 points at 12-week follow-up.
Researchers studied whether acupuncture could help military service members suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many people with PTSD struggle to access care or choose not to seek treatment, sometimes due to stigma. This study tested acupuncture as a potentially less stigmatizing treatment option that could reach more people in need.
The study included 55 service members diagnosed with PTSD who were randomly assigned to two groups. One group received their usual PTSD care plus eight acupuncture sessions over four weeks (two 60-minute sessions per week). The other group received only usual care. Researchers measured PTSD symptoms, depression, pain levels, and overall mental and physical health at the beginning of the study and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks afterward.
The results were striking. Those who received acupuncture showed significantly greater improvement in PTSD symptoms compared to those receiving usual care alone. On standardized PTSD scales, the acupuncture group's symptoms improved about twice as much as the usual care group. The acupuncture group also experienced significantly greater improvements in depression, pain, and both mental and physical functioning. The benefits were described as large and robust.
While this was a small study and researchers couldn't determine exactly how acupuncture works for PTSD, the findings suggest it could be an effective treatment option. The study's authors note that larger trials are needed to confirm these results and compare acupuncture to standard PTSD treatments. For patients considering acupuncture for PTSD or related symptoms, these results are encouraging and suggest it may be worth exploring as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. If considering acupuncture, seek a qualified, licensed practitioner experienced in treating trauma-related conditions.
This randomized controlled trial evaluated acupuncture as an adjunct treatment for PTSD in 55 military service members meeting research diagnostic criteria. Participants were randomized to usual PTSD care (UPC) alone or UPC plus eight 60-minute acupuncture sessions administered twice weekly over four weeks. Primary outcomes were PTSD symptom changes measured by PCL and CAPS at 12-week follow-up.
Results demonstrated significantly greater PTSD symptom reduction in the acupuncture group versus UPC alone (PCL Δ=19.8±13.3 vs. 9.7±12.9, P<0.001; CAPS Δ=35.0±20.26 vs. 10.9±20.8, P<0.0001). Secondary outcomes including depression, pain severity, and mental and physical functioning also showed significantly greater improvements with acupuncture. Pre-post effect sizes were described as large and robust.
Limitations include small sample size and inability to determine specific treatment mechanisms. These findings suggest acupuncture may be an effective, potentially non-stigmatizing treatment option for PTSD that could improve treatment accessibility. Larger multisite trials with extended follow-up and comparison to evidence-based PTSD therapies are warranted to confirm these preliminary but promising results.
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