Effectiveness of auricular acupressure and breathing exercises for smoking cessation

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of auricular acupressure and breathing exercises in smoking cessation treatment and monitor their adverse drug reaction (ADR). Methods: We prospectively analyzed 60 patients in National Hospital of Traditional Medicine who were addicted to smoking between June 2020 and September 2020. This is a case-control study. Patients were enrolled into two groups: a case group, which was treated with auricular acupressure and breathing exercises (n=30); a control group which was only treated with auricular acupressure (n=30). The results between 2 groups after 28 days of treatment are compared based on many criterias which includes Symptoms of withdrawal syndrome, Mood and Physical Symptoms Scale (MPSS) and breathe carbon monoxide concentrations. Results: After 28 days of treatment, in the study group 63.3% of the cases were very good, 10% were good, 26.7% were ineffective; in the control group 46.7% of the cases were very good, 20% were good, 33.3 % were ineffective. Conclusion: Auricular acupressure combined with breathing exercises is better in improving symptoms of withdrawal syndrome (shortness, irritability, insomnia, cravings) and decreasing levels of CO in patients' breath after smoking cessation than cases using auricular acupressure only.