Pragmatic Research eXamining Inpatient Symptoms



Status:Recruiting
Conditions:Anxiety, Depression, Depression, Post-Surgical Pain
Therapuetic Areas:Musculoskeletal, Psychiatry / Psychology
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - Any
Updated:7/11/2015
Start Date:November 2013
Contact:Maria T Chao, DrPH, MPA
Email:chaom@ocim.ucsf.edu
Phone:415.353.7749

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Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial of Adjunct Acupuncture vs Usual Care Among Hospitalized Patients

Many hospitalized patients experience pain during their hospital stay, and less than half
report adequate pain relief. Common treatments for pain include opioid medications, which
have associated side effects and complications. Research has shown that acupuncture is
effective for surgical, postoperative and cancer-related pain, nausea, and vomiting. More
research is needed on the effectiveness of adding acupuncture to routine care for
hospitalized patients. The objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of
acupuncture delivered in a "real-world" setting according to the principles of traditional
Chinese medicine among hospitalized patients to manage pain and other symptoms. 250
hospitalized participants will be randomized in a 1 to 1 ratio to receive either 1) usual
care or 2) usual care with acupuncture offered (125 in each group). The primary outcome
measure will be change in daily pain intensity. Data on other symptoms, such as nausea,
vomiting, anxiety, and depression, as well as functionality and quality of life will be
collected in person, on a web-based survey, or via telephone follow-up. The aims of the
study are to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture to manage pain and other symptoms
among hospitalized patients; to evaluate the impact of acupuncture on patient satisfaction
among hospitalized patients; and to estimate costs and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture
among a subset of hospitalized patients.

The investigators hypothesize that compared to hospitalized patients receiving usual care
alone, hospitalized patients receiving acupuncture will have:

1. decreased pain severity

2. higher patient satisfaction


Inclusion Criteria:

- English or Spanish speaking

- Admitted to Mt Zion Hospital for a minimum anticipated length of stay for at least 4
days

- Aged 18 or older

- In a ward included in the roll out of the Osher Center's acupuncture program at Mt
Zion

Exclusion Criteria:

- Unstable medical condition (e.g., severe pulmonary disease, myocardial infarction,
severe depression, patients in the intensive care unit)

- Acupuncture contraindication (e.g., sepsis, endocarditis)

- Inability to consent or complete surveys (e.g., cognitive or communication
impairment)
We found this trial at
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San Francisco, California 94115
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