Cessation of group battlefield acupuncture visits due to COVID-19: a pilot study

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, battlefield acupuncture (BFA) was offered to veterans with chronic pain in multidisciplinary group visits.

We aimed to assess the impact of cessation of BFA due to COVID-19 and to determine the utility of different aspects of the group visits for chronic pain management.

Participants who had attended at least three BFA group visits completed questionnaires assessing the impact of treatment interruption on pain, overall function and desire to resume treatment.

Thirty-nine veterans were surveyed; 49% responded to the questionnaire. Ninety percent (17/19) agreed that BFA was an important part of pain management and that their pain had worsened after treatment interruption. Seventy-four percent (14/19) responded that they were taking more pain medications since BFA had ended. Ninety-five percent (18/19) responded that BFA improved daily function; 79% (15/19) agreed that BFA improved their sleep. Ninety-five percent (18/19) were interested in resuming BFA. Camaraderie was mentioned as the most helpful aspect of the group by 8/19 (42%) of participants. Participation of health psychology and nutrition were each mentioned as a most helpful aspect of the group by 5/19 (26%) of participants.

Our results suggest that participants may have believed that BFA, camaraderie, and input from nutrition and health psychology services were important contributors to their pain control. The results also suggest that veterans may have suffered worsening pain, used more pain medications, and had worsening quality of sleep and daily function during the COVID-related clinic disruption, and that they were interested in resumption of the program.