Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Smoking Cessation in a Chinese Population

Abstract

An observational study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture for smoking cessation, and determine predictors for successful quitters. Smokers received at least 6 sessions of body acupuncture provided by Chinese medicine practitioners and initiated self-administered auricular acupuncture. We determined self-report 26-week and 52-week quit rates by intention-to-treat analysis and examined predictors for successful quitting by univariate and multivariate analyses. A total of 1002 smokers were recruited; 26-week and 52-week quit rates were 16.8% and 15.8%, respectively. Male sex, older age, lower nicotine dependence level, and number of body acupuncture and counseling sessions received were associated with successful quitting. A multiple logistic regression model showed that sex, nicotine dependence level, and number of body acupuncture sessions received were predictors for successful quitting. Body and auricular acupuncture is effective in smoking cessation and should be considered as an alternative to help smokers in quitting, especially for those whose past attempts using conventional methods were in vain.

Acupuncture for Smoking Cessation in Hong Kong: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study

“…Thirdly, our acupuncture plan was based on literature research [13] and pilot study [24], aiming to relieve the withdrawal syndromes. For example, in the theory of TCM, Lieque (LU 7) was the connecting point of lung meridian, which could regulate lung qi ; acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) can regulate qi movement of spleen and stomach to relieve the discomfort caused by smoking cessation; acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20) can calm the mind to relieve the anxiety.…”

“…According to our plot study [13], the possible abstinence rate of acupuncture for smoking cessation was 20.0%; it was calculated that the sample size necessary to ensure the statistical significance was 784 cases, so we decided to recruit subjects no less than 800 cases.…”

Predictors for Smoking Cessation with Acupuncture in a Hong Kong Population

“…The intervention of smoking cessation was given three times a week for 8 weeks, and the smoking abstinence rates at 8 weeks and 52 weeks were taken as trial outcomes. Part of this trial was published elsewhere [ 5 ], and the method section will not be discussed further.…”

“…In order to make a “non-smoking life” proposed by HKSAR government, with the support of the Tobacco Control Office of HKSAR Heath Department and the cooperation of Hong Kong Pok Oi Hospital, the Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, performed a observational study, namely, “Acupuncture for Smoking Cessation” from 2011 to 2014 [ 5 ]. In this observational study, we applied traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) mobile medical vehicles to provide service for smoking cessation with acupuncture, which covered Hong Kong Kowloon and New Territories.…”

“…This study is a secondary analysis of data from study participants who attended our observational study [ 5 ] in HKSAR and aims to explore the predictors for smoking cessation with acupuncture. It hopefully provides references for smoking quitters and clinical doctors in future intervention.…”