The Acupuncture for Pain, Opioid Use Disorder and Mood

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Mood Change; Opioid Use Disorder; Chronic Pain; Opioid Misuse; Opioid-Related Disorders
• Interventions: Device: Modified Battlefield Acupuncture + National Acupuncture Detoxification Association protocol

• Registration Number: NCT06543355
• Lead Sponsor: Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Brief Summary

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. 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

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.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-08-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-08-05
• Study First Posted: 2024-08-09
• Study Start: 2025-01-06
• Status Verified: 2025-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-04-22
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-24
• Primary Completion: 2025-12
• Study Completion: 2025-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 20

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

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
BFA + NADA protocol	Modified Battlefield Acupuncture + National Acupuncture Detoxification Association 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

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Feasibility - Percentage Consented	During the informed consent process, prior to the intervention	The percentage of total participants screened who have been consented will be calculated and reported.
Feasibility - Percentage Retained	Upon completion of the study, up to four weeks	The percentage of total participants consented who complete the study will be calculated and reported.
Adherence to acupuncture treatments	At 0, 2, and 4 week study visits, up to four weeks total	Adherence to acupuncture treatments treatments will also be used to assess feasibility. Adherence the intervention will be defined as the percentage of participants who completed all scheduled acupuncture treatments. Adherence will be successful if participants attend at least 50% of acupuncture treatments.
Acceptability/Satisfaction	Upon completion of the study, up to four weeks	Acceptability of and Satisfaction with the intervention will be assessed using a single outcome measure, the Patient Global Impression of Change Scale. This scale consists of a single question asking the participant to rate acceptability/satisfaction of the intervention on a seven-point scale ranging from 1 (= very much better) to 7 ( = very much worse). Higher scores are associated with less favorable participant perceptions of the intervention. Group mean scores will be summarized.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Montefiore Division of Substance Abuse (DoSA) Wellness Center at Melrose; 🇺🇸 Bronx, New York, United States