The Efficacy of Combined Electroacupuncture and Auricular Pressure on Sleep Quality in Patients Receiving Methadone Maintenance Treatment.

Background And Objectives: Previous studies have revealed that the electroacupuncture or auricular-point pressure as a single treatment approach is beneficial for relieving insomniac symptoms among patients under methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). This study is designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of combining two treatments.

Methods: This study was a randomized, controlled, crossover trial. A total of 50 participants were recruited from the Linsen Chinese Medicine and Kunming Branches of Taipei City Hospital and randomly assigned to Groups A (25 participants) and B (25 participants). In Group A (electroacupuncture at the Hegu point (LI4) and Zusanli point (ST36) and auricular-point pressure on the Shenmen point) and Group B (only auricular-point), the interventions were implemented biweekly for 4 weeks. After a 1-week washout period, a crossover of the groups was performed. Sleep quality, according to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and daily attendance rate of MMT were evaluated.

Results: Combined therapy significantly improved sleep quality, especially in the PSQI subscales of subjective sleep quality (60.91% vs 20.93%, P < 0.05) and sleep latency (42.59% vs 11.28%, P < 0.05). A significantly higher daily attendance rate was noted in combined therapy than single therapy (87% ± 2% vs 82% ± 2%, P < 0.001).

Discussion And Conclusions: The combination of the electroacupuncture with auricular-point pressure demonstrated high efficacy for improving sleep quality and increasing MMT adherence compared with single therapy of auricular-point pressure.

Scientific Significance: Combined therapy of the electroacupuncture and auricular-point pressing should be introduced as a routine, facilitating treatment for patients under methadone maintenance. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00-00).