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Treating drug using prison inmates with auricular acupuncture: a randomized controlled trial
Anne H Berman1, Ulf Lundberg, Aud L Krook
1Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Frescati Hagväg 14, plan 3, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden. anne.h.berman@chess.su.se
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
|March 31, 2004
Summary
Auricular acupuncture, specifically the NADA protocol, showed promise in prisons for reducing drug use and improving sleep, though confidence in the treatment grew over time.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Public Health
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Incarcerated populations often experience significant psychological and physical discomfort.
- Substance use disorders are prevalent among inmates, necessitating effective treatment interventions.
- Auricular acupuncture is a minimally invasive technique with potential therapeutic benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the NADA-Acudetox protocol for auricular acupuncture in prison settings.
- To compare the NADA protocol against a non-specific helix control for alleviating inmate discomfort and reducing drug use.
- To assess participant confidence and side effects associated with auricular acupuncture interventions.
Main Methods:
- A randomized trial involving 163 male and female inmates with self-reported drug use over 18 months.
- A 4-week, 14-session auricular acupuncture program utilizing either the NADA-Acudetox or a helix control protocol.
- Data collection included self-reported symptoms of discomfort, drug use, treatment confidence, and side effects.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in self-reported discomfort symptoms between the NADA and helix groups among treatment completers.
- Drug use was reported in the NADA group, but not in the helix control group.
- Participant confidence in the NADA treatment increased over time, while it decreased for the helix treatment.
- Both groups reported reduced discomfort symptoms and improved nighttime sleep, with no significant negative side effects.
Conclusions:
- The NADA-Acudetox protocol demonstrated potential in prison settings, with increasing participant confidence and reduced drug use compared to a control.
- While both auricular acupuncture protocols improved discomfort and sleep, further research is needed to differentiate active from placebo effects.
- Future studies should utilize non-invasive controls to better understand the specific therapeutic mechanisms of auricular acupuncture in correctional facilities.