New Brain Stimulation Treatments Help Smokers Quit – Neuroscience News

Summary: Noninvasive brain stimulation can improve smoking abstinence rates for 3-6 months after quitting smoking.

Source: Society for the Study of Addiction

A new systematic review published by the scientific journal Addiction found that noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) can improve smoking abstinence rates 3–6 months after quitting, compared to sham brain stimulation.

In recent years, NIBS has emerged as a new treatment option for alcohol use disorders and other substance abuse and dependence disorders. NIBS methods have shown promising results for the treatment of smoking disorders, but little is known about the effectiveness of NIBS on long-term abstinence.

A team of researchers from Dijon University Hospital, France, conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of NIBS for long-term smoking cessation.

The team searched several scientific databases for randomized controlled trials of NIBS in adult smokers seeking to quit smoking, with a follow-up of more than 4 weeks, then combined the results to measure the overall effect of NIBS on smoking cessation.

Seven studies were included, involving a total of 699 patients. In all included studies, control groups received a sham GSIN.

Pooling the 7 included studies, the relative risk of prolonged abstinence from any form of NIBS compared to a sham NIBS was 2.39, meaning that smokers who received a NIBS had a 2.39 times higher probability of long-term smoking abstinence than smokers who received a fictitious GSIN.

The relative risk was higher when looking at different types of NIBS or stimulation of specific parts of the brain. A high risk of bias was found in 4 included studies.

Lead author Dr Benjamin Petit says: “Although our review appears small, with only seven included studies, low confidence and substantial inter-study variability, the results appear to be robust and we are confident in suggesting that NIBS is a technique of interest for short- and long-term smoking cessation.

“In addition, we have identified several scientific trials currently underway in this particular area. In the near future, NIBS may be recognized as a promising new option to help people who want to quit smoking.

The two commonly used forms of NIBS are transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The TDCS sends a low-intensity direct current through the brain using electrodes placed on the patient’s scalp. The weak electric current modulates neuronal excitability.

TMS uses a metal coil placed against the patient’s scalp. The coil generates magnetic pulses that induce brief electrical currents in the cortical tissue. Depending on the frequency of the pulses, the excitability of the targeted area is either increased or decreased.

About this neurotechnology research news

Author: John O’Reilly
Source: Society for the Study of Addiction
Contact: Jean O’Reilly – Society for the Study of Addiction
Picture: Image is in public domain

Original research: Access closed.
“Noninvasive brain stimulation for smoking cessation: systematic review and meta-analysis” by Benjamin Petit et al. Addiction

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Abstract

Noninvasive Brain Stimulation for the Smoking Process: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Context and objectives

Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) methods have shown promising results for the treatment of tobacco use disorders, but little is known about the effectiveness of NIBS on sustained smoking abstinence. We aim to assess its effectiveness for the long-term smoking process.

Methods

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO and clinical trials registers were systematically searched for relevant studies up to May 2021. Relevant studies included adult smokers seeking to quit smoking included in one RCT using the NIBS [specifically repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)], and with a follow-up of more than 4 weeks. There were no restrictions on location. Abstinence rates in the active NIBS groups were compared to abstinence rates in the sham NIBS groups or the usual treatment groups, from 4 weeks to 12 months after the quit attempt. Smoking abstinence was measured by intention to treat and we used relative risks (RRs) as measures of effect size.

Results

Seven studies were included (not= 699 patients). In all included studies, control groups received a sham NIBP and only data from 3 to 6 months was analysable. Pooling the seven included studies, the RR of prolonged abstinence from any form of NIBS compared to sham NIBS was 2.39 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.26–4.55; I² = 40%]. Subgroup analyzes showed that the RR was even higher when excitatory rTMS was used on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (RR=4.34; 95% CI=1.69–11.18; I² = 0%) or when using deep rTMS targeting the lateral prefrontal cortex and insula bilaterally (RR = 4.64; 95% CI = 1.61–13.39; I² = 0%). A high risk of bias was found in four included studies. We also determined, using recommendation, assessment, development, and evaluation scores, that overall the level of confidence in the results was low.

Conclusion

Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) may improve smoking abstinence rates 3 to 6 months after quitting, compared to sham NIBS or treatment as usual.