Does electroacupuncture reduce craving for alcohol? A randomized controlled study

Author(s): Pereira, S., Mortimer, A., Manoharan, S., Knowles, M.

Abstract: We conducted a randomized single-blind controlled study to determine whether auricular electroacupuncture reduces craving for alcohol. Patients who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IIIR criteria for alcohol-dependence or -abuse were randomized to specific electroacupuncture plus treatment as usual (group 1, n = 23), non-specific electroacupuncture plus treatment as usual (group 2, n = 20) or treatment as usual (group 3, n = 16). Electroacupuncture was carried out weekly for six weeks, each treatment lasting 30 min. Our main outcome measure was craving for alcohol, measured by a visual analogue scale. Assessments were done by blind investigators, at baseline, week 8 and week 24. There was a significant change in the craving for alcohol scores in all three groups at week 8. A 59.8% and 54'/o reduction in mean craving scores was noted in electroacupuncture groups 1 and 2 respectively. There was a 44. 1 % increase in craving in the control group at week 8. Craving was low in all three groups by week 24 and not significantly different between them at week 8. Craving was correlated significantly with units of alcohol consumed (r = 0.38, P = 0.004), breathalyser level (r = 0.34, P = 0.009) and anxiety (r = 0.29, P = 0.024) at baseline. We did not find any major advantage in treating auricular acupuncture points regarded as specific for addiction.

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