Acupuncture helps smokers quit…and stay quit

A systematic review and meta-analysis from Taiwan has found that acupuncture has a beneficial effect in helping people quit smoking. A total of 20 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis.

A significant effect of acupuncture on smoking cessation rates and cigarette consumption was found immediately after the end of treatment and at three- and six-month follow-ups.

Multi-modality treatments – especially acupuncture combined with smoking cessation education or other interventions – were found to be especially beneficial in helping smokers to avoid smoking during treatment, and to avoid relapse after treatment.

(Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of acupoint stimulation on smoking cessation. Am J Chin Med. 2012;40(3):429-42). Published in the Journal of Chinese Medicine, Number 100, October 2012.