Effect of Self-administered Auricular Acupressure on Smoking Cessation-a Pilot Study

Queen's University60 enrolled

Overview

Auricular acupressure has been practiced in China and Germany to help people in smoking cessation programs. The purpose of this clinical trial is to test for the clinical effectiveness of self-administered auricular acupressure as a non-invasive method for smoking cessation.

Auricular acupressure has been practiced in China and Germany to help people in smoking cessation programs with varying degrees of success in different settings. The purpose of this clinical trial is to test for the clinical effectiveness of self-administered auricular acupressure as a non-invasive method for smoking cessation.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Smoking Cessation

Interventions

acupunctureOTHER

National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) points + digital pressure

acupunctureOTHER

random points + digital pressure

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 75 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants are included in the study if they satisfy the following criteria: * Male or female. * Between 18 and 75 years of age inclusive. * Able to provide informed consent to study. * History of tobacco cigarette smoking for at least 6 months. * Confirmed intention of smoking cessation with no more than 2 previous failed attempts in the last 3 year. Exclusion Criteria: * Existing pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation. * History of major psychiatric disorder or chronic pain syndromes. * More than 2 failed attempts of smoking cessation in the previous 3 years. * History of other substance abuse. * History of atopy, or suspected/known allergy to plaster.

Locations (1)

Queen's Family Health Team

Kingston, Ontario, Canada

RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Spot 7-day cessation rate

Efficacy of intervention for smoking cessation

Time frame: Weekly during the intervention period (weeks 1-6)

Secondary Outcomes

Continuous Cessation Rate (CAR)

Efficacy of intervention for smoking cessation

Time frame: Weekly during the intervention period (weeks 1-6) and week 13 and week 26

End-expiratory carbon monoxide levels (CO)

Efficacy of intervention for smoking cessation

Time frame: Weekly during the intervention period (weeks 1-6) and week 13 and week 26

Adverse effects in terms of self-reported discomfort levels from auricular acupressure

Nature and incidence of adverse events due to intervention

Time frame: Weekly during the intervention period (weeks 1-6)

Stress level according to the Stress Check List (SCL)

Nature and incidence of adverse events due to intervention

Time frame: Weekly during the intervention period (weeks 1-6) and week 13 and week 26

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms according to Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS)

Nature and incidence of adverse events due to intervention

Time frame: Weekly during the intervention period (weeks 1-6) and week 13 and week 26

Central Contacts

Lawrence Leung, MD

CONTACT

613-533-9303 lawrence.leung@dfm.queensu.ca

Jyoti Kotecha, MPA

CONTACT

613-533-6000 jyoti.kotecha@cspc.queensu.ca

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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