CAM for smoking cessation?
A survey of more than a thousand people trying to quit smoking reveals those treatments most commonly used and most often perceived to be effective.
I listed them here with a brief comment on the scientific support.
Most commonly used
- Hypnosis: limited data; improved rate of cessation at 26 weeks in a pilot study
- Relaxation: one small study about 15 years ago
- Acupuncture: doesn’t appear to help
- Meditation: not really
Most commonly thought to be effective
- Yoga: one study in 20 people showed increased desire to quit smoking.
- Relaxation: see above
- Meditation: see above
- Massage: not studied
Although not listed, individual counseling can help smokers quit.
A lack of scientific evidence does not mean that these approaches never work. Probably what is most important is to find a way to become motivated to quit. If any of these sound like a way to motivate you, by all means, give it a shot.
12/4/06 14:59 JR