Positive Health Online
Your Country
![[Image: http://www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/2836.df7d2315253110ff5b3a566f94871f99.jpg "http://www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk")
![[Image: https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/4046.12831f50177f8848ee87b8e94411d6b3.jpg "https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/")
![[Image: http://www.balens.co.uk]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/2148.50367fa908013fae0a7f1a171543ef92.jpg "http://www.balens.co.uk")
![[Image: http://www.drsgoodman.com/books-goodman/52-nutrition-and-cancer]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/1859.1296090fd8385e7ceff51c8011559097.jpg "http://www.drsgoodman.com/books-goodman/52-nutrition-and-cancer")
Research: HE and colleagues, Depart
Listed in Issue 30
Abstract
HE and colleagues, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway, studied the effects of acupuncture upon smoking reduction and cessation. METHODS: 46 healthy men and women, of mean age of 39 years, smoking 20 +/- 6 cigarettes daily over a period of 23 +/- 8 years and who wished to cease smoking participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups as follows: 1) Group I received acupuncture treatment at points used for anti-smoking (test group TG) 2) Group II received acupuncture treatment at points assumed to have no effect for smoking cessation (control group CG). Each participant replied to questionnaires regarding his or her smoking habits and attitudes prior to each treatment and following the last treatment. Concentrations of cotinine, thiocyanate, peroxides and fibrinogen were measured prior to the first and following the last acupuncture treatment. RESULTS: Daily cigarette consumption declined during the treatment period in both groups however the reduction was larger for TG than for CG. 31% of those in TG had ceased smoking compared with none in CG. In TG concentrations of cotinine and thiocyanate were significantly reduced following the treatment period, compared to the no significant reductions in CG group. The taste of tobacco worsened during the treatment period in both groups, but the effect was more pronounced for TG than CG. Desire to smoke fell significantly in both groups following treatment the reduction was larger for TG than CG. There were no significant changes in concentrations of peroxides and fibrinogen during the treatment period for either group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggests that acupuncture may help to motivate smokers to reduce or quit smoking. Different acupoints appear to have different effects for smoking cessation and reduction.
Background
Methodology
Results
Conclusion
References
He D et cl. Effects of acupuncture on smoking cessation or reduction for motivated smokers. Prev Med 26(2): 208-14. Mar-Apr 1997.
