CAM in Veterans With Gulf War Illnesses
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness Gulf War Health Education (GWHE) and iRest Yoga Nidra (mindfulness meditation)/auricular (ear) acupuncture for Veterans with Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses (GWVI).
Condition
- Gulf War Veterans' Illness
Eligibility
- Eligible Ages
- Over 18 Years
- Eligible Genders
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- U.S. Veteran - Deployed to the Gulf War between 1990-1991 - Currently suffers from Gulf War Veterans' Illness (i.e. fatigue, pain, cognitive impairment)
Exclusion Criteria
- Addiction to drugs or alcohol - Experiences hallucinations or delusions - Currently manic - Currently suicidal - Hearing difficulties that would interfere with group participation - Current involvement in a meditation or acupuncture group
Study Design
- Phase
- N/A
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel Assignment
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
- Masking Description
- RBANS assessment was blinded
Arm Groups
Arm | Description | Assigned Intervention |
---|---|---|
Experimental Mindfulness meditation/Acupuncture |
Eligible participants may be randomized to participate in iRest Yoga Nidra/ auricular acupuncture group classes. |
|
Active Comparator Gulf War Health Education |
Eligible participants may be randomized to participate in Gulf War Health Education group classes. |
|
More Details
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- VA Office of Research and Development
Study Contact
Detailed Description
Gulf War Veterans have reported irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, sleep difficulties, and neurocognitive dysfunction (for example, concentration, memory, and attention problems). The most effective treatment approach for what appears to a broad spectrum problem found in GWVI may require complementary alternative medicine (CAM) approaches to enhance positive outcomes. Mindfulness meditation and acupuncture are each broad spectrum CAM treatments designed to target multiple biological systems simultaneously, and thus may be well suited for GWVI. Gulf War Health Education group will promote wellness and prevention by utilizing a proactive patient care model.