Acupuncture in Traumatic Brain Injury
Acupuncture in Traumatic Brain Injury
The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of a low vs. high dose of acupuncture
 treatment in individuals with chronic post-traumatic headache (CPTH). A total of 36 people
 with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) suffering from CPTH will be enrolled in this study to
 receive acupuncture treatment for 5 weeks. Participants will be randomized into two groups:
 1) Low Acupuncture group (5 treatments) and 2) High Acupuncture group (10 treatments). It is
 hypothesized that both treatment groups will have decreased headaches, but that 10 treatments
 will greater alleviate headaches when compared to 5 treatments.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Ability to provide and provision of signed and dated informed consent form

 -  Age 18-65

 -  Diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) (as defined by the International
 classification of headache disorders 3rd edition (ICHD-3); a. Either no loss of
 consciousness, or loss of consciousness of <30 minutes duration, b. Glascow Coma Scale
 (GCS) ≥ 13, and c. Symptoms and/or signs diagnostic of concussion)

 -  Diagnosis of mTBI ≥3 months and ≤12 months at the time of study enrollment

 -  Suffering from chronic post-traumatic headache (CPTH) of any etiology (e.g. tension or
 migraine), with chronic defined as developed within 7 days after injury and lasting ≥3
 months from the time of injury

 -  Stable medication regimen for ≥1 months and agree to adhere to his or her current
 medication treatment regimen through study participation

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Non-English speaking

 -  History of acupuncture since diagnosis of mTBI

 -  History of pre-existing primary headache, defined as more than 12 days of tension-type
 headache annually and/or more than one migraine attacks per month in the last year

 -  History of any other serious neurological, psychiatric, chronic pain disorders, or
 seizures

 -  History of bleeding diathesis, other bleeding disorders, or syncope with needle
 puncture

 -  History of cardiac arrhythmia or current pacemaker, neurostimulator, or other
 implanted stimulation device

 -  Recent or active substance use disorder

 -  Women who are currently pregnant, lactating, or planning to become pregnant during the
 study

 -  Any other medical conditions that could affect their ability to participate in
 acupuncture treatments for the study duration (as determined by study investigators)

 -  Active participation or past participation ≤3 months in any other interventional
 study.

 -  Unwilling to participate in all study related activities