Acupuncture for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Meta-Analysis
Table 1
Summary of studies included in the meta-analysis.
Study
Acupuncture/control
Treatment protocol
Assessment
F/U
Age
Intervention
Acupoint
Treatment periods
Chang et al. (2010)
17/10
46/51
Needle/relaxation
Ear
Twice weekly for 10 wks
Alcohol craving
Anxiety
Trümpler et al. (2003)
15/16
45/49
Needle/sham laser
Ear
Daily until the end of withdrawal
Alcohol
withdrawal
Karst et al. (2002)
17/17
46/41
Needle/placebo needle
Ear & body
Daily for 2 wks
Alcohol
withdrawal
Anxiety
Bullock et al. (2002)
98/115
NR
Needle, specific/nonspecific
Ear
Daily for 3 wks
Alcohol craving
12 mon later
Rampes et al. (1997)
10/12
39/40
Electroacupuncture, specific/nonspecific
Ear
Once weekly for 6 wks
Alcohol craving
6 mon later
Anxiety
Alcohol use
Worner et al. (1992)
19/21
42/42
Needle/sham transdermal
Body
Thrice weekly for 3 mon
AA attendance
6 mon later
Bullock et al. (1989)
32/25
NR
Needle, specific/nonspecific
Ear
Once weekly for the first 2 wks, thrice weekly for the next 4 weeks, and twice weekly for the last 2 wks
Drinking episode
Alcohol use
Bullock et al. (1987)
19/13
NR
Needle, specific/nonspecific
Ear
Daily for 5 days, thrice weekly for the next 4 weeks, and twice weekly for 45 days
Alcohol craving
Alcohol use
Mean of age of all participants in the study. Included only for an investigation of long-term effect. Psychological variables included in the analysis for the overall effect size estimation. F/U, included in the follow-up data analysis; mon, month; NR, not reported; specific/nonspecific, specific point or nonspecific point to addiction; wks, weeks.
