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Acupuncture in alcoholism treatment: a randomized out-patient study
R Sapir-Weise1, M Berglund, A Frank
1Department of Alcohol and Drug Diseases, Malmoe University Hospital, Lund University, Sweden.
Alcohol and Alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire)
|August 24, 1999
Summary
Acupuncture to the ear showed no significant effect on reducing drinking days or craving in alcoholics. However, female participants reported reduced anxiety after acupuncture treatment.
Area of Science:
- Integrative and Complementary Medicine
- Addiction Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant public health concern.
- Current treatments for AUD have varying efficacy and side effect profiles.
- Acupuncture, a component of traditional Chinese medicine, has been explored as an adjunct therapy for AUD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of ear acupuncture in treating alcoholism.
- To investigate potential gender-specific responses to acupuncture treatment for AUD.
- To assess the impact of acupuncture on drinking patterns, craving, and anxiety levels in alcohol-dependent individuals.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, single-blind, controlled trial involving 72 participants diagnosed with alcoholism.
- Intervention group received acupuncture at orthodox ear points; control group received acupuncture at non-orthodox points.
- Data collected over 10 weeks included social characteristics, personality assessments, Alcohol Use Inventory, and Three-dimensional Personality Questionnaire.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in the number of drinking days or craving levels between the acupuncture and control groups.
- A statistically significant reduction in anxiety was reported by female participants in the acupuncture group compared to the control group after one month (P < 0.05).
- Acupuncture response was not correlated with personality traits or drinking patterns. Non-significant gender differential response was noted (P = 0.07).
Conclusions:
- Ear acupuncture demonstrated no significant efficacy in reducing core symptoms of alcoholism such as drinking frequency or craving.
- A potential anxiolytic effect of acupuncture was observed in female participants, suggesting a possible gender-specific benefit.
- The study's findings indicate that the effects of acupuncture for alcoholism may be less pronounced than previously reported, warranting further investigation into specific applications and patient subgroups.