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Ear Acupressure for Smoking Cessation: A Randomised Controlled Trial

2013; Hindawi Publishing Corporation; Volume: 2013; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1155/2013/637073

1741-4288

Anthony Lin Zhang, Yuan Ming Di, Christopher Worsnop, Brian H. May, Cliff Da Costa, Charlie Changli Xue,

Pediatric health and respiratory diseases

This study investigated the efficacy and safety of ear acupressure (EAP) as a stand-alone intervention for smoking cessation and the feasibility of this study design. Adult smokers were randomised to receive EAP specific for smoking cessation (SSEAP) or a nonspecific EAP (NSEAP) intervention which is not typically used for smoking cessation. Participants received 8 weekly treatments and were requested to press the five pellets taped to one ear at least three times daily. Participants were followed up for three months. Primary outcome measures were a 7-day point-prevalence cessation rate confirmed by exhaled carbon monoxide and relief of nicotine withdrawal symptoms (NWS). Intention-to-treat analysis was applied. Forty-three adult smokers were randomly assigned to SSEAP ( n = 20 ) or NSEAP ( n = 23 ) groups. The dropout rate was high with 19 participants completing the treatments and 12 remaining at followup. One participant from the SSEAP group had confirmed cessation at week 8 and end of followup (5%), but there was no difference between groups for confirmed cessation or NWS. Adverse events were few and minor.