P03.13. A Standardized Acupuncture Protocol for the Treatment of Wasting Syndrome in HIV+ Males: A Case Study

Since both wasting and ED impact HIV men and low testosterone is a common symptom, stimulating natural production of testosterone with acupuncture should treat both without side effects. We used a standardized 5-needle acupuncture treatment, which appears robust to combination with other acupuncture treatments and various clinicians. The case is a study of a 54-year-old male diagnosed with AIDS, wasting, and ED, with an antiretroviral regimen including 2 protease inhibitors. His viral load is undetectable and his T-cell count is over 500. The patient has had ED for 5 years, wasting for 11, and uses appetite stimulation rather than testosterone for treatment. There were 6 bi-weekly treatments using the ED/wasting protocol and a 6-month follow-up assessment. There was immediate and dramatic relief from ED, lasting for a week after the initial treatment, increasing to 3 by the 6th. We intend to seek support to incorporate lab tests, extend the term of the investigation, and increase the number of participants to better assess the impact on wasting.