Acupuncture researcher recruits Gulf War vets

Though scientists continue to debate how acupuncture works and whether it works beyond a placebo effect, military leaders have been embracing more of what they call "complementary" therapies. The Army surgeon general two years ago created a task force to look at how to improve pain management for military members. The resulting report dedicated an entire section to therapies such as yoga, acupuncture, and massage. McClatchy Newspapers reported in February on Navy doctors trained in acupuncture, including one in Afghanistan using it to ease the pain of soldiers with concussions.

The VA Boston Healthcare System began offering acupuncture for pain management several years ago.

“We have a very challenging patient population who sometimes have severe disabilities related to pain, and we wanted to increase the number of modalities available to them,” said Dr. Michael Charness, the system chief of staff. “There’s a good evidence base for the use of acupuncture in the treatment of pain. We don’t consider it an alternative therapy in that sense.”

Conboy is pleased by the change.

"Just that the military is even interested in looking at this at all -- that was not the case 10 years ago," she said.

But, convincing veterans to try acupuncture has been a challenge, Conboy said. The Army task force noted in its report that one significant obstacle to helping soldiers with their pain is the "no pain, no gain" mentality. The attitude often causes people to delay treatment, and small problems become big ones, the report said.

"These guys are trained not to have any problems," Conboy said.

About 20 people have participated since enrollment began a year ago, but the study is designed for 120 people. Any veteran who served in the first Gulf War is eligible. Participants are screened for symptoms by a Veterans Affairs physician, then receive four months of free treatments once or twice a week at the school's Newton facility or from an acupuncturist near their home.

Though the study is far from over, Conboy said the first participants have been responding well. Overcash said he has seen a measurable decrease in swelling in his ankles and improvement in his mobility. As for how to convince others to try it, Overcash said, "it's hard to crack the code on that."

Conboy thinks some may think the study is too alternative. Others may be dissuaded by the fact that the study is government-funded. If soldiers believe they have Gulf War illness, they may hold the military responsible and feel reluctant to participate now, she said. Others, like Overcash, may not consider themselves among those affected.

Conboy and her research assistants this month mailed out fliers to about 200 Gulf War veterans in the Boston area, from all branches of the military. For more information, call 617-558-1788, ext. 269.