Clinical Observation of Auricular Acupressure Combined with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Nicotine Dependence

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effect of auricular acupressure combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for nicotine dependence.MethodsA total of 90 patients with nicotine dependence were divided into three groups (combination group, tDCS group and auricular acupressure group), using the method of random number table, with 30 cases in each group. In the auricular acupressure group, vaccaria segetalis were applied at the point representing the lung,stomach, shenmen, mouth, pizhixia and heart. The patients were asked to self-administrate auricular acupressure for two minutes per session, five times a day. When the desire to smoke was strong, patients were adviced to press and pinch it for 3 minutes. In addition, the auricular acupressure pads were changed every 2 days, three times per week, for four weeks. In the tDCS group, tDCS was applied at the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, 1.4 mA in intensity, 20 min each time, three times per week, for four weeks. In the combination group, we applied the auricular acupressure combined with tDCS and the methods were the same as the tDCS group and the auricular acupressure group. Before treatment and 2, 4 weeks after treatment, the smoking frequency a day, Fagerström test of nicotine dependence (FTND) score, the questionnaire of smoking urges (QSU) score, Minnesota nicotine withdrawal scale (MNWS) score and the concentration of cotinine in urine were observed in all three groups.ResultsThere was no significant difference in daily smoking frequency, FTND score, QSU score, MNWS score and cotinine concentration in urine before treatment (PPPPPPPPPP