Electroacupuncture Therapy in Nicotine Dependence: A Double Blind, Sham-Controlled Study

The number of non-pharmacological controlled studies is insufficient in the treatment of nicotine dependence (ND). Nevertheless, non-pharmacological treatments, such as electroacupuncture (EA), are becoming increasingly popular in the treatment of ND. The aims of this study were to determine the efficacy and safety of "true EA therapy" (TEAT) compared to those of "sham EA therapy" (SEAT) in ND treatment.Eligible patients who met the DSM-IV criteria for ND (n=450) were included in the study. This study was a double-blinded, sham-controlled clinical trial with a 4-week treatment period and 4-week follow-up conducted between June and December 2009 at a psychiatry outpatient clinic. One hundred and sixty four adult (≥18 years; 44 men, 120 women) cigarette smokers out of 450 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in the study in a ratio of 1:1 to receive TEAT (n=84) or SEAT (n=80). Routine biochemical and hematological tests, chest X-Ray, and ECG were carried out; end-expired carbon monoxide (CO) levels were measured too. Clinical characteristics were obtained through the Fagerström Nicotine Dependence Test (FNDT), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAS). EA was carried out by a trademark device, Antismoke 3000®. Efficacy analyses were performed on "intent-to-treat analysis." Primary outcome was the differences from baseline to endpoint in mean FNDT, number of cigarettes smoked per day, and CO levels at week 4. Secondary outcomes were the same variables at week 8. These variables were assessed via analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).Mean baseline FNDT, HRSD, HAS, and CO levels of the groups were statistically similar. TEAT and SEAT groups demonstrated no significant changes in the outcome variables and smoking cessation rates (35.7% and 30%, respectively). Of those remaining outside of the study, 8.3% were from the TEAT group and 8.7% were from the SEAT group; there was no statistical difference between the groups. The rate of treatment discontinuation was similar between the TEAT (44%) and SEAT (43.7%) groups (p>0.05). The rates of adverse events were not similar too.This study showed that both TEAT and SEAT have similar efficacy and safety profiles in patients with ND.