Clinical Study on Acupuncture plus Auricular Point Sticking in Improving Tobacco Withdrawal Symptoms After Smoke Cessation / 上海针灸杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus auricular point sticking in improving tobacco withdrawal symptoms after smoke cessation. Method Forty-eight patients with tobacco withdrawal symptoms were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 24 in each group. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture plus auricular point sticking, while the control group was by auricular point sticking. The daily consumption of tobacco, Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND), and Self-rating Scale of Tobacco Dependence (SSTD) were observed before and after intervention, and the smoke cessation rate was also compared. Result The smoke cessation rate was 83.3%in the treatment group versus 54.2%in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After intervention, the daily consumption of tobacco and SSTD score in the treatment group were significantly changed and markedly different from that in the control group (P<0.05). The FTND scores were significantly changed after intervention in both groups (P<0.05). There was a significant difference in comparing the FTND score between the two groups after intervention (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture plus auricular point sticking can improve the tobacco withdrawal symptoms.