[Acupuncture and smoking cessation, a review of the literature]

Abstract

Introduction: Tobacco smoking represents the main cause of death in industrialised countries. Acupuncture is proposed as an aid to stopping smoking. What are the current studies?

Background: We found 23 controlled randomised studies with differing protocols in terms of intensity of treatment and methodology. The meta-analyses undertaken were contradictory. The short-term effect of acupuncture is well documented but the medium term effect is more uncertain.

Outlook: The undertaking of well-standardised, high-intensity protocols is necessary to produce evidence of a medium term effect.

Conclusion: Acupuncture can be offered to patients wishing to stop smoking within the framework of a global management programme. The association of acupuncture with classical aids increases the chances of the patient stopping. The conditions of intervention should be defined precisely within the framework of a randomised controlled trial.

Keywords: Acupuncture; Sevrage tabagique; Stopping smoking.