The effectiveness of treating abstinence syndrome by acupuncture over traditional medication and psychotherapy

Abstract

Background Traditional medication therapy and psychotherapy are commonly used for treatment drug abstinence syndrome. Because of the side effects of traditional medication therapy (MT), acupuncture therapy (AT) is under investigation for treating abstinence syndrome, particularly for heroin detoxification. This project aims to review different randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of heroin detoxification treatment by acupuncture, and retrieve relevant data so that appropriate suggestions can be made to the Narcotics Division (ND), the Department of Health (DH), non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and related local public health institutes for the anti-drug services of heroin and opioid drugs.

Methods A systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to retrieve 13 relevant articles of randomised clinical trials (RCTs) in English and Chinese conducted from 2000 to 2014. These RCTs contained data of heroin-dependent patients, details of assessment of abstinence syndrome and treatments; and comparison of efficacy of AT with MT, such as side effects, severity and relapse of heroin abstinence in physical and psychological aspects.

Results 13 articles were included. All treatments were conducted in clinics or hospitals. Different intervention strategies were included, comparing AT with MT, AT plus MT with MT alone, AT with no treatment as well as true AT with superficial AT. All trials have reported better therapeutic effects in the heroin abusers with AT, regardless the use of medication, age and sex. Improved treatment effects were demonstrated in reducing psychological effect of heroin abstinence, such as anxiety and depression, sleep quality, relapse and heroin craving. Also, improved treatment of physical effects of abstinence was shown by increasing body weight, improved liver and kidney functions, improved immunity and lower adverse effects than conventional MT. No adverse effect was reported in 3 trials (23%) or mentioned in 9 trials (69%), mild adverse effects was reported in 1 trial.

Conclusions ND, DH, NGOs and other local public health institutes should conduct further studies in Hong Kong to obtain primary local data of the therapeutical effects of AT, and implement AT as an adjunct to the traditional MT and psychotherapy for treating heroin abstinence syndrome due to it high efficacy, safety and low side effects.