Pragmatic Research eXamining Inpatient Symptoms
Pragmatic Research eXamining Inpatient Symptoms
Many hospitalized patients experience pain during their hospital stay, and less than half
 report adequate pain relief. Common treatments for pain include opioid medications, which
 have associated side effects and complications. Research has shown that acupuncture is
 effective for surgical, postoperative and cancer-related pain, nausea, and vomiting. More
 research is needed on the effectiveness of adding acupuncture to routine care for
 hospitalized patients. The objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of
 acupuncture delivered in a "real-world" setting according to the principles of traditional
 Chinese medicine among hospitalized patients to manage pain and other symptoms. 250
 hospitalized participants will be randomized in a 1 to 1 ratio to receive either 1) usual
 care or 2) usual care with acupuncture offered (125 in each group). The primary outcome
 measure will be change in daily pain intensity. Data on other symptoms, such as nausea,
 vomiting, anxiety, and depression, as well as functionality and quality of life will be
 collected in person, on a web-based survey, or via telephone follow-up. The aims of the study
 are to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture to manage pain and other symptoms among
 hospitalized patients; to evaluate the impact of acupuncture on patient satisfaction among
 hospitalized patients; and to estimate costs and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture among a
 subset of hospitalized patients.

 The investigators hypothesize that compared to hospitalized patients receiving usual care
 alone, hospitalized patients receiving acupuncture will have:

 1. decreased pain severity

 2. higher patient satisfaction
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  English or Spanish speaking

 -  Admitted to Mt Zion Hospital for a minimum anticipated length of stay for at least 4
 days

 -  Aged 18 or older

 -  In a ward included in the roll out of the Osher Center's acupuncture program at Mt
 Zion

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Unstable medical condition (e.g., severe pulmonary disease, myocardial infarction,
 severe depression, patients in the intensive care unit)

 -  Acupuncture contraindication (e.g., sepsis, endocarditis)

 -  Inability to consent or complete surveys (e.g., cognitive or communication impairment)