The New England School of Acupuncture in Newton today said it was awarded a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to finance a clinical trial focused on the use of acupuncture in the treatment of Gulf War Illness.
The school said the trial is the first of its type and will explore whether acupuncture can provide war veterans with relief for symptoms such as fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, headaches, dizziness, memory problems, indigestion, skin problems, shortness of breath and mood disorders.
The school said that more than 100,000 of the 700,000 Gulf War veterans have reported chronic multi-symptom illnesses that persist for years after seeking treatment.
The trial’s participants will include 120 veterans from the Boston/New England area suffering from Gulf War Illness. They will be treated by licensed acupuncturists for their most distressing symptom.
The cause of Gulf War Illness hasn’t been determined.
Journal of New England Technology
Wednesday, June 23, 2010