Auricular point sticking combined with transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for smoking cessation：a randomized controlled trial.
10.13703/j.0255-2930.20220104-k0001
- Author:
Shu-Min CHEN
1
;
Zhen-Yu LIU
1
;
Jia JI
1
;
Zhao LIU
2
;
Ying-Ying WANG
1
;
Jin-Sheng YANG
3
Author Information
1. Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
2. Tobacco Medicine and Tobacco Cessation Center, China-Japan Friendship Hospital.
3. Institute of Basic Theory for Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
auricular point sticking;
nicotine patch;
randomized controlled trial (RCT);
smoking cessation;
transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS);
withdrawal rate
- MeSH:
Humans;
Smoking Cessation;
Tobacco Use Disorder;
Acupuncture Points;
Administration, Cutaneous;
Nicotine;
Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/drug therapy*
- From:
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion
2022;42(11):1235-1239
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To compare the clinical efficacy between auricular point sticking combined with transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) and nicotine patch for smoking cessation.
METHODS:Two hundred patients who voluntarily quit smoking were randomly divided into a combination group and a nicotine patch group, 100 cases in each group. In the combination group, auricular point sticking (Shenmen [TF4], Neifenmi [CO18], Pizhixia [AT4], Jiaogan [AH6a], etc., once every other day) combined with TEAS（Lieque [LU 7] and Zusanli [ST 36], with continuous wave, 20 Hz in frequency, 1 mA in current intensity, 30 min each time, once a day) were applied. In the nicotine patch group, nicotine patch was applied. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. The immediate withdrawal rate and persistent withdrawal rate 8 weeks into treatment and in follow-up of 16 weeks after treatment in the two groups were compared; before treatment, 8 weeks into treatment and in follow-up of 16 weeks after treatment, the degree of nicotine dependence was evaluated by using Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND); 1 week into treatment, 8 weeks into treatment and in follow-up of 16 weeks after treatment, the withdrawal symptoms and smoking craving were evaluated by using Minnesota nicotine withdrawal scale (MNWS); the safety and compliance (dropped off rate and treatment completeness) were evaluated in the two groups.
RESULTS:There was no statistical significance of the differences in the immediate withdrawal rate and persistent withdrawal rate 8 weeks into treatment and during follow-up between the two groups (P>0.05). The FTND scores were decreased 8 weeks into treatment and during follow-up in the two groups compared with those before treatment (P<0.01); the FTND score during follow-up in the combination group was lower than the nicotine patch group (P<0.05). The MNWS scores were decreased 8 weeks into treatment and during follow-up in the two groups compared with those 1 week into treatment (P<0.05); the changes of MNWS scores 8 weeks into treatment and during follow-up in the combination group were greater than the nicotine patch group (P<0.05, P<0.01). There were no serious adverse reactions in either group. Eight weeks into treatment and during follow-up, the dropped off rates were all 16.0% (16/100) in the combination group, which were 20.0% (20/100) and 23.0% (23/100) in the nicotine patch group, there was no statistical significance of the differences in the two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in treatment completeness between the two groups (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION:Auricular point sticking combined with TEAS could effective decrease the degree of nicotine dependence, improve withdrawal symptoms in smokers, its effect is superior to nicotine patch.
