Complementary and Integrative Health

Combination of two complementary and integrative health (CIH) therapies for improving symptom domains of Gulf War Illness (GWI) – Results from a randomized controlled trial

by Nathaniel Allen, ; Charity Breneman, PhD, MSPH ; Matthew Reinhard, PsyD
Seminar date: 5/18/2023

Description: Gulf War Illness includes self-reported symptoms that may affect multiple biological systems as opposed to isolated disease states. The approach of standard medical practice with specific treatments designed for discrete disorders may require CIH approaches to enhance positive outcomes for this unique post-deployment cohort. In a randomized controlled trial, presenters compared an intervention combining two CIH therapies, mindfulness meditation and auricular acupuncture, with an active control group receiving a Gulf War Health Education course. A possible beneficial effect was demonstrated in the intervention group receiving mindfulness meditation and auricular acupuncture in which improvements were observed in overall severity of symptoms and individual symptom domains of mood/cognition, pain, and fatigue. Target audience: This presentation is for clinicians who treat Veterans with complex and/or difficult to treat conditions (e.g., GWI) as well as HSR&D and CIH researchers.

View archived session video:

DOWNLOAD: PDF handout | Audio only (mp3) | transcript

Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.