Analgesic Response to Opioids in Patients With Fibromyalgia After Conventional Acupuncture Versus Sham Acupuncture
University of California, Irvine
Summary
This study aims to see whether acupuncture can help fibromyalgia patients by giving them acupuncture treatment and seeing whether acupuncture helps enhance the effects of an opioid.
Description
The investigator hypothesizes that traditional acupuncture (TA) enhances binding of the MOR receptor which will then enhance the pain-reducing effects of opioids compared to sham acupuncture (SA). The investigator will test the hypothesis by giving participants a validated Brief Pain Inventory to complete during the pre-therapy opioid challenge and one week after TA or SA therapy is completed.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Are 18 - 80 years old * have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia for more than 6 months * Are already using chronic, continuous opioid therapy, including but not limited to the use of Hydrocodone (Norco), Oxycodone (Percocet), morphine, methadone or Tylenol #3 daily * Have moderate to excruciating pain at baseline, determined by a 5 or greater score on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Exclusion Criteria: * Are younger than 18 or older than 80 years old * Have been diagnosed with a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) * Pregnant * Have an active litigation or worker's compensation…
Interventions
- ProcedureTraditional Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of treatment where thin needles are gently inserted into specific parts of your body. It's often used to help with things like pain, headaches, stress, and anxiety.
- ProcedureSham Acupuncture
Sham acupuncture in this trial involves the insertion superficially to mimic the procedure of true acupuncture without providing any therapeutic effect. The needles will be similar to those used in the true acupuncture group but will not be stimulated, ensuring blinding and controlling for placebo effects.
Location
- UCI Health Susan Samueli Integrative Health InstituteIrvine, California