Acupuncture as a Treatment Option in Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder-Related Tinnitus in War Veterans: A Case Presentation

J Holist Nurs. 2016 Mar;34(1):56-63. doi: 10.1177/0898010115581935. Epub 2015 Apr 24.

Abstract

Although close associations between tinnitus and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among war veterans has been documented, there is limited research that explores evidence-based, efficacious interventions to treat the condition in this particular population. This article presents a case of three war veterans with PTSD symptoms who received a series of acupuncture treatments for tinnitus with positive outcomes. Even though the article presents cases of only three veterans and was based on self-reports, there were very clear trends on how veterans with tinnitus symptoms responded to acupuncture treatments. Information generated from this case presentation is a good starting place in exploring evidence-based approaches in treating tinnitus symptoms in war veterans with PTSD.

Keywords: acupuncture; tinnitus; veterans.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acupuncture Therapy*
  • Adult
  • Combat Disorders / physiopathology
  • Combat Disorders / psychology
  • Combat Disorders / therapy*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Holistic Health
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / complications*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / physiopathology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy*
  • Stress, Physiological
  • Time Factors
  • Tinnitus / complications*
  • Tinnitus / physiopathology
  • Tinnitus / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States
  • Veterans / psychology*
  • Warfare