Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2002 Jul-Aug; 23(5): 445-59.

The effect of auricular acupuncture on psychophysiological measures of cocaine craving.

Killeen TK, Haight B, Brady K, Herman J, Michel Y, Stuart G, Young S.

Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, Department of Psychiatric and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425-0742, USA. killeetk@musc.edu

This study used a randomized pretest/posttest control group design to test the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture interventions in diminishing psychological and physiological changes associated with cocaine craving in 30 treatment-seeking cocaine-dependent patients. The experimental group received the real auricular acupuncture intervention, insertion of needles into ear point locations specifically targeted for drug withdrawal. The control group received sham or placebo auricular acupuncture, insertion of needles into ear point locations not targeted for any specific therapeutic benefit. Psychological (Cocaine Craving Questionnaire - Now) and physiological (skin conductance activity) changes associated with cocaine craving were measured. Results showed no differences between the control and the experimental group in diminishing psychological and physiological measures associated with craving. There were differences from pre- to posttest on measures of psychological but not physiological craving for the combined experimental and control groups.