National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health | NCCIH

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health | NCCIH

Resources for Researchers Interested in Acupuncture: Technical Assistance Webinar, Feb 7; Workshop on Feb 11-12; and CMS Call for Comments on Medicare Coverage of Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain

 

Technical Assistance Webinar for FOA on Acupuncture for Low-Back Pain in Older Adults (NIH HEAL Initiative) To Be Held February 7

NCCIH will host an hour-long preapplication technical assistance webinar for NIH HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term^SM) Initiative funding opportunity RFA-AT-19-005: Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for Management of Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required). It will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2019, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., ET.

Workshop, "Translating Fundamental Science of Acupuncture into Clinical Practice-- for Cancer Symptom Management, Pain, and Substance Abuse"

The National Cancer Institute’s Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine and NCCIH are cosponsoring a workshop, “Translating Fundamental Science of Acupuncture into Clinical Practice-- for Cancer Symptom Management, Pain, and Substance Abuse" on February 11-12, 2019 at Lister Hill Center Auditorium, Building 38A, NIH campus Bethesda, MD.

The 2-day event will include discussions on neural and extra-neural mechanisms as well as non-specific effects of acupuncture. There will also be presentations on overcoming barriers to clinical research with acupuncture. Researchers and NIH staff are encouraged to attend. The workshop is also open to the public and will be videocast. Space is limited.

View the agenda and register to attend in person.

Public Comments Wanted on Acupuncture for Chronic Low-Back Pain 

The Centers for Medicare Medicaid & Services (CMS) is opening this national coverage analysis (NCA) to complete a thorough review of the evidence to determine if acupuncture for chronic low-back pain (CLBP) is reasonable and necessary under the Medicare program. CMS is particularly interested in comments that include scientific evidence and discuss appropriate clinicians and training requirements to provide acupuncture that improves health outcomes. In addition, for commenters recommending Coverage with Evidence Development, we are interested in comments related to appropriate outcomes and study designs. While CMS has conducted previous national coverage analyses on acupuncture, the scope of this current review is limited to acupuncture for chronic low back pain. The comment period runs through February 14.

Learn more