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Summary
The goal of this study is to learn if group acupuncture is acceptable and feasible as a treatment for chronic pain in adults living in rural North Carolina, with the aim of improving access to equitable pain care. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is group acupuncture acceptable (measured by a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews), feasible (measured by recruitment and retention rates), and delivered with fidelity (measured by the proportion of acupuncture sessions attended) among adults with chronic pain in rural North Carolina (Phase 2)? Adults with chronic pain will: * Attend up to 10 group acupuncture sessions over a 6-week period * Complete a questionnaire about the acceptability of the intervention; a subset of participants will complete qualitative acceptability interviews * Complete self-report measures of pain, anxiety, depression, sleep, fatigue, and quality of life
Official title: Group Acupuncture for Improved Pain Relief in Rural Communities
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
103
Start Date
2024-06-12
Completion Date
2025-11-28
Last Updated
2026-11-02
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Group Acupuncture Intervention
Enrolled participants will receive 10 acupuncture treatments over 6 weeks from licensed acupuncturists in a community group setting. Appointments will be staggered every 15-20 minutes, with participants seated comfortably alongside no more than four others. Using a pragmatic approach within North Carolina licensing standards, the acupuncturist will select distal/peripheral points based on assessment and diagnosis. Needling may involve the head, neck, arms, legs, hands, and feet; trunk points will not be used to maintain modesty. Sterile, disposable needles will remain in place for approximately 20-30 minutes. Electroacupuncture will not be used. For each participant and session, the acupuncturist will document the assessment, points needled, needle-retention time, and any adverse effects.
Locations (1)
Mebane Historical Museum
Mebane, North Carolina, United States