Current Studies at the Center
The following is a list of studies with brief descriptions currently under way at the Center or in which the Center is collaborating.
Acupuncture and Craniosacral Manipulation in the Treatment of Asthma
The purpose of this study is to determine if combining two complementary and alternative (CAM) modalities, acupuncture and craniosacral massage, with conventional medications is more effective than using either CAM therapy alone with conventional approaches in the treatment of asthma. While most clinics combine two or more CAM treatments with conventional approaches, research has been done only on the effectiveness of one CAM modality used adjunctively with conventional medicine, Therefore we believe it is important to study the efficacy of this approach. The study will consist of 100 participants with Class II to Class IV asthma who have no other serious illness. All individuals will continue with their standard therapies in addition to the acupuncture and craniosacral therapies. Acupuncture points known to be effective for asthma will be selected by a licensed acupuncturist. A control group will receive no treatment during the study. They will be measured after receiving only their standard care at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after entering the study. When the study is finished they will receive complimentary therapy: either acupuncture or craniosacral therapy or a combination of the two, basically whichever therapy appears to be most effective. Outcome measures will include improvement in respiratory symptoms, including number of ‘asthma attacks,’ physical symptoms, psychological symptoms, medication usage, and medical care visits (doctor’s office, hospitalization, and emergency room). Measurements will include pulmonary function testing including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEV), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow between 25 percent and 75 percent (FEF25-75), and mesoexpiratory flow (MEF).
Acupuncture as an Adjunctive Treatment in Stroke Rehabilitation
The purpose of this study is to determine: 1) Whether acupuncture has a beneficial effect on activities of daily living, motor and cognitive functioning and quality of life in post-stroke survivors, above and beyond standard rehabilitation; 2) whether the length of time after stroke before acupuncture is begun affects the extent to which acupuncture is effective; and 3) whether electroacupuncture is more effective than non-electroacupuncture stimulation in the treatment of stroke. Ninety participants will be either sub-acute (approximately 10 days post-stroke) or relatively long term survivors (6+ months post-stroke). All individuals will continue to receive their standard therapies in addition to the acupuncture treatments. A set of acupuncture points will be needled in two variations, with and without electrical stimulation. A control group will receive standard rehabilitation only. Outcome measures will include cognitive and physical functioning, activities of daily life, and quality of life measures which will be administrated at baseline, shortly after completion of acupuncture treatment, and at 3 and 6 months follow-up.
Participation in Studies
In many cases, the Center will be actively seeking participants for its studies. A list of current studies seeking participants and information on how to apply to be part of the study appear below.
We are now recruiting participants for the study titled “Acupuncture and Craniosacral Manipulation in the Treatment of Asthma” Participants will receive sessions of acupuncture and/or craniosacral therapy at no extra charge. Please call 646-935-2292 or email hlynton@bethisraelny.org to see if you are eligible.
We are now recruiting participants for the study titled “Acupuncture as an Adjunctive Treatment in Stroke Rehabilitation ” If you or a family member have had a stroke 6 months to 2 years prior to today’s date, please call 646-935-2293 or email hlynton@bethisraelny.org to see if you are eligible.
