Research published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment (2010;38[1]:12–21) examined whether transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS)—a noninvasive, acupuncture-based therapy—could improve outcomes in people undergoing treatment for opioid addiction.
The study included men and women aged 18 to 59 who were diagnosed with opioid dependence. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either TEAS or a sham (placebo) treatment. Both groups also received standard medical therapy using a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. The intervention consisted of three 30-minute sessions per day for up to four days.
At a two-week follow-up, relapse rates differed substantially between groups. Sixty-five percent of subjects in the placebo group had resumed opioid use, compared with 29% of those who received TEAS. In addition, participants in the TEAS group reported less pain and greater improvements in overall health.
Takeaway
When used alongside standard medication-assisted treatment, TEAS was associated with lower relapse rates, reduced pain, and improved self-reported health in individuals recovering from opioid addiction. Learn more about acupuncture.
