Effects of Intensive Electroacupuncture on Nicotine Withdrawal and Withdrawal-Related Sleep Symptoms in Patients with Nicotine Dependence: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial.
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Acupuncture, Jiading District Central Hospital Affiliated Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- 2Department of Acupuncture, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- 3Department of Acupuncture, Jiangqiao Community Health Service Center, Jiading District, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
- 4Department of Acupuncture, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Abstract
Background
Whether intensive electroacupuncture (EA) during early nicotine withdrawal improves symptom trajectories remains unclear.Objective
To compare intensive EA with low-density EA and varenicline for withdrawal symptoms and explore withdrawal-related sleep symptoms.Methods
In this single-center, three-arm, open-label randomized trial, 114 participants were allocated equally to intensive EA, low-density EA, or varenicline for 4 weeks. EA was administered daily or every other day during week 1, respectively, and three times weekly during weeks 2-4. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, weeks 1-4, and 1 and 3 months after treatment. The main outcome for the present analysis was the week-1 change in Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS) total score. Withdrawal-related sleep symptoms were assessed exploratorily using a score derived from two MNWS sleep-related items. Analyses used analysis of covariance and generalized estimating equations, with exploratory analyses of time-averaged symptom burden and post-treatment changes.Results
Per-protocol analyses included 110 participants. At week 1, intensive EA was associated with lower adjusted MNWS scores than varenicline (mean difference, -5.75; 95% CI, -6.95 to -4.55) and low-density EA (-5.88; 95% CI, -7.08 to -4.67). Exploratory analyses suggested improvements in craving and withdrawal-related sleep symptoms. The proportions with exhaled carbon monoxide ≤4 ppm at 3 months after treatment were 29.7%, 18.9%, and 13.9% in the intensive EA, varenicline, and low-density EA groups, respectively (overall p=0.234).Conclusion
Intensive EA may alleviate withdrawal symptoms during early smoking cessation. Exploratory sleep findings require confirmation. The study did not establish a benefit for smoking abstinence, and longer follow-up is needed.
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BibTeX
@article{lai2026effects,
title = {{Effects of Intensive Electroacupuncture on Nicotine Withdrawal and Withdrawal-Related Sleep Symptoms in Patients with Nicotine Dependence: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial.}},
author = {Zhen Lai and Weijia Gao and Xujing Yao and Shijie Cao and Xinyu Xia and Natalie Ann Parry and Yan Liang},
journal = {Therapeutics and clinical risk management},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.2147/tcrm.s639287},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42974167},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effects of Intensive Electroacupuncture on Nicotine Withdrawal and Withdrawal-Related Sleep Symptoms in Patients with Nicotine Dependence: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial.
AU - Zhen Lai
AU - Weijia Gao
AU - Xujing Yao
AU - Shijie Cao
AU - Xinyu Xia
AU - Natalie Ann Parry
AU - Yan Liang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - Therapeutics and clinical risk management
DO - 10.2147/tcrm.s639287
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42974167
AB - Background Whether intensive electroacupuncture (EA) during early nicotine withdrawal improves symptom trajectories remains unclear.Objective To compare intensive EA with low-density EA and varenicline for withdrawal symptoms and explore withdrawal-related sleep symptoms.Methods In this single-center, three-arm, open-label randomized trial, 114 participants were allocated equally to intensive EA, low-density EA, or varenicline for 4 weeks. EA was administered daily or every other day during week 1, respectively, and three times weekly during weeks 2-4. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, weeks 1-4, and 1 and 3 months after treatment. The main outcome for the present analysis was the week-1 change in Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS) total score. Withdrawal-related sleep symptoms were assessed exploratorily using a score derived from two MNWS sleep-related items. Analyses used analysis of covariance and generalized estimating equations, with exploratory analyses of time-averaged symptom burden and post-treatment changes.Results Per-protocol analyses included 110 participants. At week 1, intensive EA was associated with lower adjusted MNWS scores than varenicline (mean difference, -5.75; 95% CI, -6.95 to -4.55) and low-density EA (-5.88; 95% CI, -7.08 to -4.67). Exploratory analyses suggested improvements in craving and withdrawal-related sleep symptoms. The proportions with exhaled carbon monoxide ≤4 ppm at 3 months after treatment were 29.7%, 18.9%, and 13.9% in the intensive EA, varenicline, and low-density EA groups, respectively (overall p=0.234).Conclusion Intensive EA may alleviate withdrawal symptoms during early smoking cessation. Exploratory sleep findings require confirmation. The study did not establish a benefit for smoking abstinence, and longer follow-up is needed.
SN - 1176-6336
SN - 1178-203X
ER -