Learning Objectives: Describe the utility of thermostimulation as a method for smoking cessation
Abstract:
Problem/Objective:
Nicotine addiction is one of the most prevalent health problems in the European countries and is very difficult to obtain a truly successful way to help the 70% of smokers that would like to quit
.Eight years ago, was introduced in Spain a new concept in treatment of smoking cessation: The Thermostimulation.
Smoking, cause an increased level of dopamine, then to normalize this increased level, is useful the stimulation, by infrared heat, of steroreceptors in the skin . Such will provoke a release of Ō-endorphins that will neutralize the dopamine and will decrease the anxiety linked to nicotine withdrawal. Such stimuli are traveling using the amyelinic fiber type C
Methods:
To prove such hypothesis a two steps studies has been conducted; The first one was trying to demonstrate the efficacy of the system as smoking cessation tool. The second one is actually running and it will try to prove the efficacy of the Thermostimulation compared with placebo.
Results:
1.900 patients have been followed from August 2001 to August 2002.
After 5 sessions, one per day, of 20 minutes each one, receiving Thermostimulation in designated skin points, the results has been as follow:
6 Months: 1539 non-smokers
1 year: 1273 non smokers
The second part of the research was performed using placebo and an active device. 112 patients was treated and 80.3% stop smoking after the treatment.
Conclusions:
Thermostimulation it seems to be a new helpful system for smoking cessation. More studies it will be necessary to prove the non-placebo effect and the long-term efficacy of the system
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