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October 25, 2024Open Access

High-frequency acupuncture increases 3-month smoking abstinence by ~289% vs low-frequency, particularly among slow metabolizers.

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Why the study?

The study evaluated the effectiveness of using the nicotine metabolite ratio as an informed biomarker to optimize acupuncture for smoking cessation.

Does high-frequency acupuncture improve 12-week continuous abstinence rates compared to low-frequency acupuncture in smokers stratified by nicotine metabolite ratio?

Population

220 participants classified as slow or normal metabolizers by NMR

Comparison

High-frequency acupuncture vs low-frequency acupuncture

Design

Prospective two-arm open-label randomized controlled trial

Follow-up

12 weeks

Key result

High-frequency acupuncture significantly increased the 3-month sustained smoking abstinence rate compared to low-frequency acupuncture (17.3% vs 8.2%, OR 3.89), particularly among slow metabolizers.

Authors

SCshu min ChenJJJia JiLYLi Yang

Discussion

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Member takes

Overview

High-frequency acupuncture may boost smoking cessation success; extends RCT evidence on optimal dosing for acupuncture in nicotine dependence.

Study Design

Type

RCT (n=220)

Blinding

Open-label

Randomization

Stratified block randomization

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Does high-frequency acupuncture improve 12-week continuous abstinence rates compared to low-frequency acupuncture in smokers stratified by nicotine metabolite ratio?

P
Population
220 adult smokers (mean age 48.5, 4.1% female) motivated to quit, followed for 3 months to evaluate high-frequency versus low-frequency acupuncture based on nicotine metabolite ratio.
I
Intervention
High-frequency acupuncture (3 to 5 times per week for 8 weeks) with minimum behavioral support.
C
Comparator
Low-frequency acupuncture with minimum behavioral support.
O
Outcome
12-week continuous abstinence rate assessed by urine cotinine levels.surrogate

Main Result

Odds Ratio: 3.89 (95% CI 1.36–8.11)

Absolute Event Rate: 17.3% vs 8.2%

High-frequency acupuncture significantly improves 3-month sustained smoking abstinence compared to low-frequency acupuncture, particularly among slow nicotine metabolizers.

Limitations

  • Sample size might not fully capture the variability in NMR and its impact on acupuncture efficacy
  • Study population consisted predominantly of male participants, limiting generalizability to female smokers
  • Relied on self-reported smoking status verified by urine cotinine concentrations, which may introduce biases
  • COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns made the collection of CO readings and urine cotinine difficult, reducing validated quit rates
  • Potential for unmeasured confounding variables that could influence both NMR and smoking cessation outcomes

Cite This Study

Chen et al. (2024) conducted an RCT in Smoking cessation (n=220). High-frequency acupuncture vs. Low-frequency acupuncture (3 times a week) was evaluated on 12-week continuous abstinence rate assessed by urine cotinine levels (OR 3.89, 95% CI 1.36, 8.11). High-frequency acupuncture significantly increased the 3-month sustained smoking abstinence rate compared to low-frequency acupuncture (17.3% vs 8.2%, OR 3.89), particularly among slow metabolizers.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa2829f990ebc48faa584d0https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.10.23.24315983
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Effects of acupuncture and nicotine patch on smoking: a multicenter, randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial2024 · 4 citations
  2. 2A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Use of Automated Nicotine Metabolite Ratio Reporting Within Primary Care as an Implementation Strategy to Increase the Use of Tobacco Treatments2024
  3. 3Efficacy of varenicline or bupropion and its association with nicotine metabolite ratio among smokers with <scp>COPD</scp>2024 · 4 citations
  4. 4The Use of the Nicotine Metabolite Ratio as a Biomarker to Personalize Smoking Cessation Treatment: Current Evidence and Future Directions2020 · 52 citations
  5. 5A Pilot Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial of a Nicotine Metabolite Ratio-Guided Smoking Cessation Intervention in a Lung Health and Screening Program2024