NCT04094246

Battlefield Acupuncture Following Shoulder Surgery

The Effect of Battlefield Acupuncture and Physical Therapy Versus Physical Therapy Alone Following Shoulder Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 95 (actual)
• Sponsor: Keller Army Community Hospital · Federal
• Sex: All
• Age: 17 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to determine the effectiveness of Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) in addition to standard post-surgical shoulder physical therapy compared to a standard shoulder rehabilitation program in reducing medication use and pain in patients who have undergone shoulder surgery. Measurements of medication (opioid, NSAID, acetaminophen, etc.) use (daily number of pills consumed), pain rating, patient specific functional scale and global rating of change will be taken at 48-hours (baseline), 72-hours, 1-week, and 4-weeks post-surgery. It is hypothesized that the inclusion of Battlefield Acupuncture will result in a decrease in post-surgical pain levels, reduced opioid medication use, and improved patient mood when compared to rehabilitation alone.

Conditions

• Shoulder Injuries
• Pain, Postoperative
• Acupuncture, Ear
• Pain Management

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Battlefield Acupuncture	Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA), an auricular acupuncture protocol developed in 2001 by Dr. Niemtzow (Ret. Colonel, USAF), is widely used among civilian and military medical providers to treat pain. Participants in the Experimental Group will receive BFA in addition to standard post-surgical rehabilitation up to four times following their shoulder surgery: 24-hours, 48-hours, 72-hours, and 1-week post-surgery.
PROCEDURE	Standard post-surgical rehabilitation	Participants will receive rehabilitation and will perform a home exercise program in accordance with the standard post-operative shoulder protocol. Participants will be asked to record compliance on an exercise log.

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-09-25
• Primary completion: 2024-05-29
• Completion: 2024-05-29
• First posted: 2019-09-18
• Last updated: 2025-02-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States