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Summary:
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Background
Tobacco smoking is a challenging public health problem worldwide and is associated with many preventable diseases and premature death globally. Over the years, acupuncture has been used for smoking cessation, with increasing acceptance and evidence on its effect on nicotine dependence. Auricular acupressure, a non-invasive intervention which works by continuously stimulating acupoints to regulate and relieve disease symptoms, has also been adopted to help quit smoking. However, there are few clinical trials to verify its effectiveness. This study aimed to provide additional clinical research evidence for using acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure for smoking cessation.
Objective
To determine the therapeutic effects and safety of acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure for smoking cessation, and to evaluate treatment effects on tobacco dependence, smoking behavior, anxiety levels, and sleep disturbances between successful and unsuccessful quit smokers in Hong Kong.
Results
28 out of 30 recruited patients completed over 6 treatment sessions. The success rate of smoking cessation was 46.67%. Furthermore, the successful quit rates at weeks 8 and 16 were 36.67% and 43.33%, respectively. After treatment, the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) scores improved significantly (P < 0.05).
Compared with baseline, the Autonomy Over Smoking Scale (AUTOS) scores from weeks 6 to 24 (P < 0.001), with the successful quit group showing greater improvements. No significant changes were detected in exhaled CO levels and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). No adverse events were found during the study period.
Conclusion
Acupuncture combined with auricular acupressure was shown to be an effective and safe treatment for smoking cessation. It also reduced tobacco dependence and cigarette consumption among smokers.
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