| Methods |
Randomised controlled trial, all study personnel bar the acupuncturist were blind to treatment assignment, 6 week follow up |
| Participants |
DSM‐III‐R criteria cocaine dependence, enrolled in methadone maintenance programme, n=40 |
| Interventions |
Auricular acupuncture: 3 sites bi‐laterally in each ear and one site bi‐laterally in each hand. Control points in the ear and body within 4mm of active sites. Needles left in place for 45 minutes, five days a week for 6 weeks, and administered by a trained acupuncturist. |
| Outcomes |
Cocaine use by urine toxicology, cocaine use self‐reported, changes on BDI, ASI and symptom checklist 90 scales, TCS, attrition, side effects |
| Notes |
Results presented for study completers as primary analysis, some outcomes reported for intention‐to‐treat sample. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
