A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report found that 25 percent of U.S. adults reported experiencing a full day of pain within the past 30 days and one in 10 said their pain lasted one year or more. Acupuncture is increasingly used to help mitigate that pain and other symptoms, according to a new book released this month. The book,
Acupuncture in Modern Medicine, provides updates on acupuncture research, summarizes new developments in acupuncture, discusses acupuncture therapy for clinical conditions and takes a new look at the issues related to assessment and accessibility in acupuncture therapy. The book features chapters written by Samueli Institute researchers, was edited by Lucy L. Chen and Tsung O. Cheng and is available for sale online now.
One chapter written by Samueli Institute researchers, “Acupuncture in Military Medicine,” discusses the challenges faced by the military in the management and treatment of pain. Large numbers of combat veterans experience a trauma spectrum response that includes pain, sleep disorders, anxiety and post-traumatic stress. Due to the stigma associated with seeking help many veterans don’t receive treatment. As a result, the military health system has acknowledged pain management requires a more comprehensive and holistic approach.
“Acupuncture is a whole-systems treatment approach that is effective for pain and other trauma-related conditions and the military is committed to including it along with other complementary therapies,” said Samueli Institute Vice President of Military Medical Research Kevin Berry, MD. “Our goal is to continue identifying ways to treat and support our Warfighters both on the battlefield and as they return home.”
Samueli Institute researchers drafted a later chapter in the book that focuses on patient-based outcome assessment (PBOA) instruments that have been used to determine outcomes in acupuncture clinical research. The chapter “The Evolution of Patient-Based Outcome Assessment Instruments in Acupuncture Research: Choosing Patient-Based Outcomes” highlights measures that are feasible, practical, economical, reliable, valid, and responsive to clinical change.
“Acupuncture in Military Medicine” was authored by Samueli Institute researchers Kevin Berry, Wayne Jonas, Joan Walter, Rick Welton and Alexandra York along with Richard Niemtzow from the United States Air Force Acupuncture Center. “The Evolution of Patient-Based Outcome Assessment Instruments in Acupuncture Research: Choosing Patient-Based Outcomes” was authored by Samueli Institute researchers Kevin Berry, Ian Coulter, Raheleh Khorsan, Joan Walter and Alexandra York along with Duke University’s Remy Coeytaux and Georgetown University’s Rachel Wurzman.
The book is available online at
www.intechopen.com/books/acupuncture-in-modern-medicine. More information is available at
www.SamueliInstitute.org.
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About Samueli Institute Samueli Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) research organization supporting the scientific investigation of healing processes and their role in medicine and health care. Founded in 2001, the Institute is advancing the science of healing worldwide. Samueli Institute’s research domains include integrative medicine, optimal healing environments, the role of the mind in healing, behavioral medicine, health care policy, and military and veterans’ health care. Our mission is to transform health care through the scientific exploration of healing. More information can be found at SamueliInstitute.org.