Efficacy of Laser Auricular Acupuncture for Smoking Cessation

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to compare urinary cotinine levels, nicotine dependence and physical effects related to smoking in smokers before and after laser auricular acupuncture, psychological counselling and a combination of laser treatment with counselling. Methods: This study was carried out from February to July 2019 in India. A total of 60 smokers were randomly allocated to three interventional groups. Urinary cotinine levels, nicotine dependence and physical effects due to smoking were evaluated using NicAlert strips (Nymox Pharmaceutical Corp., Quebec, Canada) the Fagerström questionnaire and a visual analogue scale, respectively, at baseline and one month post-intervention. Pearson’s chi-square, Kruskal Wallis analysis of variance and Wilcoxon sign rank tests were used for statistical analyses. Results: There was a significant reduction in urinary cotinine levels and nicotine dependence and significant improvement in behaviour and physical effects related to smoking in all groups post-intervention (P <0.05). Reduction in nicotine dependence was significantly higher in the laser group (4.4 ± 1.66) compared to other groups (P <0.01). Reduction in urinary cotinine levels was highest in the laser with counselling group (0.85 ± 0.3) compared to the other groups. There was a significant reduction in irritability, headache, craving for smoking, tiredness and anxiety as well as a substantial increase in calmness, unpleasant taste of smoking, the ability to concentrate and appetite in the laser auricular acupuncture group compared to the other groups (P <0.01) Conclusion: Laser auricular acupuncture alone and in combination with psychological counselling can reduce nicotine dependence among smokers.
 Keywords: Auricular Acupuncture; Laser; Nicotine; Tobacco Dependence; India.

Acupuncture and related acupoint therapies for smoking cessation: An umbrella review and updated meta-analysis

“…Fifty-three RCTs were included after full-text screening, of which 33 RCTs were evaluated in the 13 SRs that were included. Therefore, 20 RCTs 34 , 36 - 54 involving 3532 participants were included. The characteristics are shown in Table 2 .…”

“…Body filiform needle acupuncture alone or combined with auricular acupressure was used in 6 RCTs 43 - 48 . There was one RCT 49 on fire needle acupuncture, 3 RCTs 50 - 52 on TEAS, and 2 RCTs 53 , 54 on laser acupuncture. Tim-Mee, Lieque (LU7), and Hegu (LI4) were the most commonly used body acupoints for smoking cessation.…”

“…However, laser acupuncture appeared to be more effective in achieving long-term smoking cessation (RR=2.25; 95% CI: 1.23–4.11; moderate certainty; 2 RCTs, n=160) ( Table 3 ). However, the included 2 RCTs 53 , 54 failed to report the outcome of the abstinence rate; therefore, we were unable to pool the data.…”

Silver Spike Point Therapy in smoking cessation

“…Any form of NRT for stimulation has also been proposed for smoking cessation (for example, laser light and magnetic stimulation); however, these will not be covered in this review. [29][30][31][32] B. Silver Spike Point (SSP) therapy.…”

Efficacy and safety evaluation of adjuvant auricular acupuncture for smoking cessation: A study protocol of randomized, assessor-blinded, pragmatic pilot trial

“…Figure 1. Flow diagram based on CONSORT 2010 [22]. AA = auricular acupuncture, NRT = nicotine replacement treatment.…”