title: Methadone maintenance treatment versus methadone maintenance treatment plus auricular acupuncture: impacts on patient satisfaction and coping mechanism.
abstract: This study intended to (1) describe the baseline patient satisfaction level and preferred coping strategies and (2) assess patient satisfaction and coping mechanisms pre- and postintervention. Patients on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in Terengganu, Malaysia, were randomized into either MMT or MMT plus auricular acupuncture (MMT + AA) groups. All received the standard MMT, while participants on MMT + AA underwent concurrent AA session thrice weekly for 2 months (each session = 30 minutes). Data analysis was carried out using SPSS 16.0, employing descriptive and nonparametric statistics. Participations were received from 97 eligible male patients (median age = 36.0 years; Malay = 97.9%). After screening for dropouts, only 69 patients were considered for subsequent analysis (MMT = 40; MMT + AA = 29). At preintervention, both groups did not differ significantly in the parameters investigated. During postintervention, no significant difference was detected for satisfaction level but coping-wise, substance use was significantly and frequently adopted by MMT + AA patients compared to MMT respondents (P < .05). On separate analysis, those who received MMT alone adopted active coping, venting, and self-blame significantly more frequently postintervention (P < .05). Nevertheless, no significant difference for coping styles of MMT + AA patients was exhibited over time (P >.05). The addition of AA therapy into the standard MMT treatment did not seem to influence patient satisfaction and their coping ways.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Kota Campus, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, 20400 Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Pei Lin
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Lua
authors.forename: Nor Samira
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Talib
authors.forename: Zabidah
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ismail
mesh_terms: D020831:Acupuncture, Ear / Q000379:methods*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone
keywords: auricular acupuncture; coping; drug addiction; methadone; satisfaction