Invited Commentary

Commentary on “Battlefield Acupuncture: Is It Ready for Widespread Dissemination?”

Authors: G. Richard Holt, MD, MSE, MPH, MABE, D Bioethics

Abstract

Federman and Gunderson have provided a cogent analysis of the technique of battlefield acupuncture, also known as auricular acupuncture and rapid acupuncture.1 The authors describe the intent of the technique as well as the supporting evidence to date regarding its efficacy. They conclude that “presently the amount and quality of published research does not justify wide adoption of this practice in those strictly adherent to evidence-based medicine.”1

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References

1. Federman DG, Gunderson CG. Battlefield acupuncture: is it ready for widespread dissemination? South Med J 2017;110:55-57.
 
2. Brennan JA, Holt GR, Thomas RW, , eds. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery: Combat Casualty Care in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. A Textbook of Military Medicine. Fort Sam Houston, TX: Borden Institute; 2015.
 
3. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine. Strengthening collaborations with the US Department of Defense and US Department of Veterans Affairs: effectiveness research on mind and body intervention. https://nccih.nih.gov/about/naccih/military-report. Published February 2015. Accessed August 3, 2016.