Dataset Information

Effects of transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation on drug use and responses to cue-induced craving: a pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation (TEAS) avoids the use of needles, and instead delivers a mild electric current at traditional acupoints. This technique has been used for treating heroin addiction, but has not been systematically tested for other drugs of abuse. This study aims to investigate the effects of TEAS on drug addiction.

Methods

Volunteers who were either cocaine-dependent (n?=?9) or cannabis-dependent (n?=?11) but were not seeking treatment for their dependence participated in a within-subject, single-blind study. Treatment consisted of twice daily 30-minute sessions of TEAS or sham stimulation for 3.5?days. The active TEAS levels were individually adjusted to produce a distinct twitching response in the fingers, while the sham stimulation involved 2 minutes of stimulation at threshold levels followed by 28 minutes of stimulation below the detection levels. The participants recorded their drug use and drug cravings daily. At 1 hour after the last morning session of TEAS or sham stimulation, a cue-induced craving EEG evaluation was conducted. Event-related P300 potentials (ERPs) were recorded, sorted, and analyzed for specific image types (neutral objects, non-drug-related arousing images, or drug-related images).

Results

TEAS treatment did not significantly reduce the drug use or drug cravings, or significantly alter the ERP peak voltage or latency to peak response. However, the TEAS treatment did significantly modulate several self-reported measures of mood and anxiety.

Conclusion

The results of this pilot study with a limited sample size suggest that the acupoint stimulation techniques and protocol used in this trial alone do not significantly reduce cravings for or use of cocaine or cannabis. The findings that TEAS modulates mood and anxiety suggest that TEAS could be used as an adjunct in a multimodal therapy program to treat cocaine and cannabis dependence if confirmed in a full randomized controlled clinical trial.

SUBMITTER: Penetar DM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3412709 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Effects of transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation on drug use and responses to cue-induced craving: a pilot study.

Penetar David M DM Burgos-Robles Anthony A Trksak George H GH Maclean Robert R RR Dunlap Steven S Lee David Y-W DY Lukas Scott E SE

Chinese medicine 20120610 1

<h4>Background</h4>Transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation (TEAS) avoids the use of needles, and instead delivers a mild electric current at traditional acupoints. This technique has been used for treating heroin addiction, but has not been systematically tested for other drugs of abuse. This study aims to investigate the effects of TEAS on drug addiction.<h4>Methods</h4>Volunteers who were either cocaine-dependent (n = 9) or cannabis-dependent (n = 11) but were not seeking treatment for th ...[more]

PMID: 22682006

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Project description:BackgroundHypertension is a major pathogenic factor of cardiovascular diseases. Insufficient blood pressure control rate and sub-optimal medication adherence remain challenges for effective management of hypertension. Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) has been used to treat various diseases, including hypertension, but the scientific evidence for its benefit remains insufficient. Therefore, we will perform a randomized, controlled clinical trial in patients with stage 1 hypertension to evaluate the effect of TEAS.Methods/designThe study will be a two-arm parallel, randomized controlled trial. Sixty patients with stage 1 hypertension will be randomly assigned to the TEAS group and the control group in a 1:1 ratio. The participants in the TEAS group will receive non-invasive acupoint electrical stimulation for 30 min at four acupoints in the upper and lower extremities at home, 4 times weekly for 12 weeks for a total of 48 sessions. Participants in the control group will not receive any form of acupoint stimulation. All participants in both groups will receive lifestyle education on how to control high blood pressure, including diet, weight control, and exercise. The primary outcome measure will be the change of the mean systolic blood pressure from baseline to 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes include the change of mean diastolic blood pressure, quality of life, body mass index, and physical activity level.DiscussionThis pilot, randomized, controlled trial will explore the feasibility of TEAS. It will also provide potential clinical evidence for the efficacy and safety of TEAS in the treatment of patients with stage 1 hypertension. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals. Furthermore, this pilot trial as the precursor of a large scale randomized controlled trial will inform the sample size of the subsequent trial.Trial registrationChinese clinical trial registry, ChiCTR1900025042, Registered on 8 August 2019 (http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=41496).

Project description:BackgroundLumbar disc herniation is seen in 5-15% of patients with lumbar back pain and is the most common spine disorder demanding surgical correction. Spinal surgery is one of the most effective management for these patients. However, current surgical techniques still present complications such as chronic pain in 10-40% of all patients who underwent lumbar surgery, which has a significant impact on patients' quality of life. Research studies have shown that transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) may reduce the cumulative dosage of intraoperative anesthetics as well as postoperative pain medications in these patients.ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of pTEAS on pain management and clinical outcome in major spinal surgery patients.MethodsWe conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind study to verify the effect of pTEAS in improving pain management and clinical outcome after major spinal surgery. Patients (n = 90) who underwent posterior lumbar fusion surgery were randomized into two groups: pTEAS, (n = 45) and Control (n = 45). The pTEAS group received stimulation on acupoints Zusanli (ST.36), Sanyinjiao (SP.6), Taichong (LR.3), and Neiguan (PC.6). The Control group received the same electrode placement but with no electrical output. Postoperative pain scores, intraoperative outcome, perioperative hemodynamics, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and dizziness were recorded.ResultsIntraoperative outcomes of pTEAS group compared with Control: consumption of remifentanil was significantly lower (P < 0.05); heart rate was significantly lower at the end of the operation and after tracheal extubation (P < 0.05); and there was lesser blood loss (P < 0.05). Postoperative outcomes: lower pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score during the first two days after surgery (P < 0.05); and a significantly lower rate of PONV (on postoperative Day-5) and dizziness (on postoperative Day-1 and Day-5) (P < 0.05).ConclusionpTEAS could manage pain effectively and improve clinical outcomes. It could be used as a complementary technique for short-term pain management, especially in patients undergoing major surgeries.Trial registrationChiCTR1800014634, retrospectively registered on 25/01/2018. http://medresman.org/uc/projectsh/projectedit.aspx?proj=183.

Dataset Information

Effects of transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation on drug use and responses to cue-induced craving: a pilot study.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Effects of transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulation on drug use and responses to cue-induced craving: a pilot study.

Similar Datasets

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