Abstract
Background Methamphetamine (MA) addiction has become a crucial public health concern because of its adverse consequences to individuals and the society. Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of laser acupuncture combined with group cognitive behavioral therapy for MA addiction treatment. Materials and Methods MA users who participated in group cognitive behavioral therapy and met the inclusion criteria were referred from psychiatrists to participate. The participants received laser acupuncture treatment once a week for 2 months (total eight treatments) on selected acupoints (PC6, HT7, LI4, ST36, SP6, and LR3). Laboratory assessment included urinalysis for MA and liver function tests aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and γ-glutamyltransferase (AST, ALT, and γ-GT), whereas the objective assessment included visual analog scale (VAS) for MA craving and refusal and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaires. All data were collected before and at 1 and 2 months after treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy completion rate and rate of relapse to MA use were also determined. Result Fifteen participants were enrolled, of whom seven completed the trial. Urinalysis for MA revealed a decrease in drug use from 57.1% to 28.6%. Compared with those before treatment, PSQI scores were significantly lower at 1 and 2 months after treatment (−3.73 and −4.10, respectively; both p < 0.001), and so were BDI scores (−5.64 and −8.17, respectively; p=0.01 and 0.001, respectively). However, no significant difference was observed in the liver function test, VAS of craving and refusal, and BAI results. A slight improvement in the motivation for drug abstinence and anxiety was observed during the treatment course. Participants reported no adverse events. Conclusion Laser acupuncture combined with group cognitive behavioral therapy may improve sleep quality, alleviate depression, and reduce MA use. Additional large-scale studies confirming the effectiveness of this modality are warranted.
Highlights
Methamphetamine (MA) has become one of the most commonly abused drugs in the world
No study has investigated its therapeutic effect in the treatment of MA addiction. erefore, this study evaluated the effectiveness of laser acupuncture (LA) combined with group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for MA addiction treatment
Before undergoing LA combined with group CBT, eight (53.3%) participants had a positive urinalysis results for MA
Summary
Methamphetamine (MA) has become one of the most commonly abused drugs in the world. According to data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, global prevalence of MA use reached 34,160,000 (0.7%) people in 2016 [1]. e quarterly report on drug use from Taiwan High Prosecutors Office in 2019 revealed that MA (including MA and amphetamine) was the second common drug abused substance; it was used by 35,304 people, corresponding to approximately 60% of all drug abusers in Taiwan [2]; these numbers might be underestimated. To investigate the clinical efficacy of laser acupuncture combined with group cognitive behavioral therapy for MA addiction treatment. Laboratory assessment included urinalysis for MA and liver function tests aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and c-glutamyltransferase (AST, ALT, and c-GT), whereas the objective assessment included visual analog scale (VAS) for MA craving and refusal and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaires. Urinalysis for MA revealed a decrease in drug use from 57.1% to 28.6% Compared with those before treatment, PSQI scores were significantly lower at 1 and 2 months after treatment (−3.73 and −4.10, respectively; both p < 0.001), and so were BDI scores (−5.64 and −8.17, respectively; p 0.01 and 0.001, respectively). Laser acupuncture combined with group cognitive behavioral therapy may improve sleep quality, alleviate depression, and reduce MA use. Additional large-scale studies confirming the effectiveness of this modality are warranted
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