A R White1, K L Resch, E Ernst. 1. Department of Complementary Medicine, Postgraduate Medical School, University of Exeter, England. A.R.White@exeter.ac.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Acupuncture is frequently used for smoking cessation. Positive results from uncontrolled studies have not been supported by meta-analysis of controlled trials. One possible reason for this is that the optimal acupuncture technique was not applied or that the technique was not repeated sufficiently often. METHODS: A randomized, sham-controlled trial was performed with 2 parallel treatment arms; the participant and the evaluator were unaware of which treatment was received. Seventy-six adults who wanted to stop smoking received either100-Hz electroacupuncture with needles inserted into the appropriate point in each ear or a sham control procedure over the mastoid bone. Interventions were given on days 1, 3, and 7 of smoking cessation. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms were measured by visual analog scale scores recorded in a daily diary for 14 days; smoking cessation was confirmed objectively. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the mean reduction of withdrawal symptom scores of the 2 groups from day 1 to day 14. Fifteen participants (39%) who receivedelectroacupuncture and 16 participants (42%) who received a sham procedure were abstinent on day 14. CONCLUSION: This form of electroacupuncture is no more effective than placebo in reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Acupuncture is frequently used for smoking cessation. Positive results from uncontrolled studies have not been supported by meta-analysis of controlled trials. One possible reason for this is that the optimal acupuncture technique was not applied or that the technique was not repeated sufficiently often. METHODS: A randomized, sham-controlled trial was performed with 2 parallel treatment arms; the participant and the evaluator were unaware of which treatment was received. Seventy-six adults who wanted to stop smoking received either 100-Hz electroacupuncture with needles inserted into the appropriate point in each ear or a sham control procedure over the mastoid bone. Interventions were given on days 1, 3, and 7 of smoking cessation. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms were measured by visual analog scale scores recorded in a daily diary for 14 days; smoking cessation was confirmed objectively. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the mean reduction of withdrawal symptom scores of the 2 groups from day 1 to day 14. Fifteen participants (39%) who received electroacupuncture and 16 participants (42%) who received a sham procedure were abstinent on day 14. CONCLUSION: This form of electroacupuncture is no more effective than placebo in reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
Authors: Claire Shuiqing Zhang; Angela Weihong Yang; Anthony Lin Zhang; Brian H May; Charlie Changli Xue Journal: J Altern Complement Med Date: 2013-10-19 Impact factor: 2.579
Authors: Caroline Lambert; Ivan Berlin; Tat-Leang Lee; Siew Wan Hee; Audrey S L Tan; David Picard; Ji Sheng Han Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Date: 2011-06-05 Impact factor: 2.629