Citation

Grant S, Kandrack R, Motala A, Shanman R, Booth M, Miles J, Sorbero M, Hempel S. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2016; 163: 1-15.

Affiliation

RAND, 1776 Main Street, P.O. Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.02.034

PMID

26968093

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This systematic review aims to estimate the effects of acupuncture for adults with substance use disorders (SUDs).

METHODS: We searched 7 electronic databases and bibliographies of previous studies to identify eligible randomized trials. Two independent reviewers screened citations, extracted data, and assessed risks of bias. We performed random effects meta-analyses. We assessed quality of evidence using the GRADE approach.

RESULTS: We included 41 studies with 5,227 participants. No significant differences were observed between acupuncture and comparators (passive controls, sham acupuncture, treatment as usual, and active interventions) at post-intervention for relapse (SMD -0.12; 95%CI -0.46 to 0.22; 10 RCTs), frequency of substance use (SMD -0.27; -2.67 to 2.13; 2 RCTs), quantity of substance use (SMD 0.01; -0.40 to 0.43; 3 RCTs), and treatment dropout (OR 0.82; 0.63 to 1.09; 22 RCTs). We identified a significant difference in favor of acupuncture versus comparators for withdrawal/craving at post-intervention (SMD -0.57, -0.93 to -0.20; 20 RCTs), but we identified evidence of publication bias. We also identified a significant difference in favor of acupuncture versus comparators for anxiety at post-intervention (SMD -0.74, -1.15 to -0.33; 6 RCTs).

RESULTS for withdrawal/craving and anxiety symptoms were not significant at longer follow-up. Safety data (12 RCTs) suggests little risk of serious adverse events, though participants may experience slight bleeding or pain at needle insertion sites.

CONCLUSIONS: Available evidence suggests no consistent differences between acupuncture and comparators for substance use.

RESULTS in favor of acupuncture for withdrawal/craving and anxiety symptoms are limited by low quality bodies of evidence.

Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Language: en