@article{ref1,
title="Acupuncture for substance use disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis",
journal="Drug and alcohol dependence",
year="2016",
author="Grant, Sean and Kandrack, Ryan and Motala, Aneesa and Shanman, Roberta and Booth, Marika and Miles, Jeffrey and Sorbero, Melony and Hempel, Susanne",
volume="163",
number="",
pages="1-15",
abstract="BACKGROUND: This systematic review aims to estimate the effects of acupuncture for adults with substance use disorders (SUDs). <br><br>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. <br><br>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). <br><br>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. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Available evidence suggests no consistent differences between acupuncture and comparators for substance use. <br><br>RESULTS in favor of acupuncture for withdrawal/craving and anxiety symptoms are limited by low quality bodies of evidence.<br><br>Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0376-8716",
doi="10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.02.034",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.02.034"
}