Clinical observation of acupuncture at the point group Shenmen (HT7), Pianli (LI6) and Danzhong (CV17) for smoking cessation

BACKGROUND: Nicotine dependence has been included in the disease classification of the World Health Organization and is a mental disorder. Statistics show that China has more than 300 million smokers, causing more than 700 million non-smokers to be exposed to second-hand smoke, and more than 1 million people die each year from smoking-related diseases. As awareness of the harms of tobacco has deepened and tobacco control efforts in China and abroad have strengthened, research on smoking cessation has advanced. At present, nicotine withdrawal methods mainly include nicotine replacement therapies such as nicotine patches and nicotine chewing gum, and non-nicotine replacement therapies such as bupropion and varenicline; traditional acupuncture has also gradually become one of the main methods for treating nicotine dependence. In comparison, acupuncture has the advantages of being safe, economical, environmentally friendly and clinically effective, but it lacks the support of relevant laboratory indicators and statistical evidence. To further verify the characteristics and advantages of traditional Chinese medicine in nicotine withdrawal, this study conducted a clinical observation of the efficacy of the point group Shenmen, Pianli and Danzhong for nicotine dependence withdrawal. OBJECTIVE: By observing the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at the point group Shenmen, Pianli and Danzhong for smoking cessation, this study aims to provide an objective basis for its clinical promotion and application, so as to enrich and optimize smoking cessation programs. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial comparing acupuncture at the point group Danzhong, Shenmen and Pianli with the internationally recognized nicotine patch for smoking cessation. All cases came from the acupuncture outpatient clinic and wards of Wangjing Hospital. A total of 50 subjects who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled and randomly divided into a trial group (25 cases) and a control group (25 cases). The trial group was treated with acupuncture at the point group, 5 times a week in weeks 1 and 2, 3 times a week in weeks 3 and 4, and twice a week from week 4 until the end of treatment at week 8; the control group used nicotine patches applied externally, one patch a day, each worn for more than 10 hours, for eight weeks. CO levels and urinary cotinine levels were measured before treatment and at the end of treatment (week 8), and both indicators were measured again at month 6 to observe relapse. During treatment, smoking cessation efficacy was evaluated with the abstinence rate, the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and the Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI), and adverse events during the study were recorded. After treatment, data were processed with SPSS 20.0 software. RESULTS: 1 Comparison of baseline data between the two groups: 50 male patients were enrolled, 25 in the treatment group and 25 in the control group. A total of 47 subjects completed the trial and entered the final statistical analysis, 24 in the trial group and 23 in the control group. In the trial group, mean smoking history was 23.96 years, mean daily cigarette consumption 18.33 cigarettes, mean C0 value 16.33 and mean urinary cotinine 5.50. In the control group, mean smoking history was 21.61 years, mean daily cigarette consumption 18.74 cigarettes, mean C0 value 18.04 and mean urinary cotinine 5.57. At enrollment, there were no statistically significant differences between groups in baseline data such as smoking history, daily cigarette consumption, exhaled C0 and cotinine (P>0.05), indicating that the baseline data of the two groups were comparable. 2 Comparison of clinical efficacy between the two groups: cigarette consumption in both the trial and control groups decreased markedly at week 8 and month 6, with no significant difference in smoking cessation effect between the two methods. Within-group decreases in exhaled CO in both groups at week 8 and month 6 were significant (p<0.05), indicating that both methods can reduce the amount smoked within 24 hours. The between-group comparison was not significant (p>0.05), indicating no significant difference between the two methods in their effect on the amount smoked within 24 hours. Within-group decreases in urinary cotinine in both groups at week 8 and month 6 were significant (p<0.05), indicating that both methods can reduce the amount smoked within 7 days. The between-group comparison was not significant (p>0.05), indicating no significant difference between the two methods in their effect on the amount smoked within 7 days. Within-group decreases in FTND scores at week 8 and month 6 were significant in both groups (p<0.05), indicating that both methods can reduce patients' nicotine dependence. The between-group comparison was not significant (p>0.05), indicating no significant difference between the two methods in reducing nicotine dependence. HSI scores decreased significantly within both groups at week 8 and month 6 (p<0.05), indicating that both methods can reduce smoking intensity. Between-group comparisons at week 8 and month showed no significant differences (p>0.05), indicating no significant difference between the trial and control groups in the reduction of smoking intensity over these periods. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The point group Danzhong, Shenmen and Pianli is an effective method for nicotine withdrawal. 2. The point group Danzhong, Shenmen and Pianli not only effectively helps quit smoking, but also relieves the emotional instability caused by smoking cessation and reduces the amount smoked.