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7.18 Alternative therapies and emerging treatments
Foreword

Relevant news and research: Alternative therapies and emerging treatments

Fan, S., Wang, J., Wang, X., Zhang, H., Li, H., Wang, J., Zhang, W. and Wang, J. (2025). Acupuncture for smoking cessation: an overview of systematic reviews. Front Public Health, 1677231. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41626375


Kumar, S., Saini, S., Mishra, G., Baishya, A., Sharma, S., Hazarika, D. and Patra, S. (2026). Volitional Yoga Breathing for Smokers: Development, Validation, and Feasibility of a 30-Minute Breathing-Only Intervention for Smoking Cessation and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Cureus, 1, e101716. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41717166


van Vliet, M. H. M., Penfornis, K. M., Gebhardt, W. A., von Haeseler, E. F., Chavannes, N. H., Versluis, A. and Meijer, E. (2026). The effect of identity-related interventions on physical activity- and smoking-related identities and behavior: a mixed-methods systematic review. Syst Rev. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41736138


Wittekind, C. E., Takano, K., Motka, F., Winkler, M. H., Werner, G. G., Ehring, T. and Ruther, T. (2026). Approach Bias Modification as an Add-On to Smoking Cessation Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Psychiatry, appiajp20250189. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41634907


Akram, Z., Khairnar, M. R., P, G. N., Jadhav, S. K., Kusumakar, A. and Priyadarsini, S. S. (2025). Effect of Laser Auricular Acupuncture in Tobacco Smoking Cessation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Med Acupunct, 5, 341-350. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41573020


Lai, Z., Fan, Q., Lee, A. L., Yao, X., Dai, R. and Liang, Y. (2025). Electroacupuncture as a Non-Pharmacological Intervention for Nicotine Dependence: Evidence from a Randomized Clinical Trial. Ther Clin Risk Manag, 1869-1885. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41488199


Tan, C., Zhang, M., Chen, S., Guo, J., Liu, M., Han, Y., Wang, T., Yuan, Y. and Wang, Y. (2026). Efficacy of acupuncture for patients with moderate to severe tobacco dependence: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Complement Med Ther. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41530741


Zhao, S. Z., Li, M. Y., Li, Y. J., Luk, T. T., Cheung, D. Y. T., Lai, A. Y. K., Tong, H. S. C., Lai, V. W. Y., Lam, T. H. and Wang, M. P. (2026). Mobile instant messaging supported brief physical exercise intervention for smoking cessation: a community-based, cluster randomised controlled trial. Thorax. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41513451


Akram, Z., Pg, N. K., Khairnar, M., Kumar, J. S., Kailashiya, J., Priyadarsini, S. S. and Singh, A. (2025). Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of Laser Therapy and Behavioral Counseling in Tobacco Cessation: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Addict Health, 1601. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41431633


Yin, Y., Wang, Y., Yang, J., Xu, H., Ma, K., Gong, H., Qi, F. and Nan, Y. (2025). Effectiveness and Acceptability of A Community-Based Comprehensive Smoking Cessation Intervention Incorporating Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapy - Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China, December 2023-December 2024. China CDC Wkly, 47, 1491-1497. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41321338


Chen, D., Li, Z., Xie, M., Wang, T., Li, R., Chen, Y., Li, S., Zhang, Q., Ling, Y., Liang, X., Mao, H., Zhai, L. and Zhang, J. (2025). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation reduces nicotine dependence and potentially modulates white matter microstructure in smokers: a pilot study by diffusion spectrum imaging. Front Neurol, 1653926. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41180531


Jo, Y. S., Pyeon, A., Hu, M. K., Kim, S., Choi, I. Y., Kim, D. J. and Chun, J. W. (2025). Pilot Study of a Mobile, Virtual Reality-Based Digital Therapeutic for Smoking Cessation: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, e66411. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41223406


Singh, S., Dhanlika, D., Haldar, P. and Sharma, G. (2025). Efficacy of yoga on tobacco cessation. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nicotine Tob Res. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41239976


Chen, B., Gan, H., Yang, L., Yan, X., Lv, X., Zhang, X. and Bu, J. (2025). A novel imagery-based retrieval-extinction training for intervention in nicotine addiction. BMC Med, 1, 568. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41107816


Li, Z., Sha, X., Zhang, Q., Li, S., Xie, M., Wang, T., Chen, D., Xin, E. and Zhang, J. (2025). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for nicotine addiction: A regional homogeneity study based on resting-state fMRI. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging, 112077. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41110183


Mehta, D. D., Sloan, M. E., Sas, A., Freeman, C., George, T. P., Selby, P., Zawertailo, L., Zangen, A., Blumberger, D. M., Le Foll, B., Veldhuizen, S. and Tang, V. M. (2025). Craving Induction and Treatment Response in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Tobacco Use Disorder. Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41110551


Scholz, J. R., Bellini, B. B., Ziotti, S. D. V., Abe, T. O., Arnaut, D., Alberto, R. L., Marcolin, M. A. and Tonstad, S. (2025). Cue-Restricted Smoking as a behavioral adjunct for smoking cessation: Observational sub-analysis of a randomized trial of deep transcranial magnetic stimulation. Tob Prev Cessat. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41048875


Sklenarik, S. M., Burrows, C. N. and Astur, R. S. (2025). Nicotine-induced conditioned place preferences in humans. Behav Brain Res, 115875. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41109631


Zhang, Y. Y., Liu, Y. J., Wang, Y., Liang, S. B., Yin, T., Zheng, Y. S., Liu, J. P., Robinson, N. and Qiao, H. F. (2025). Auricular electro-acupuncture for smoking cravings in young smokers with nicotine dependence: A pilot fMRI study. Complement Ther Med, 103264. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41093020


Li, X., Caulfield, K. A., Chen, A. A., McMahan, C. S., Hartwell, K. J., Brady, K. T. and George, M. S. (2025). Salience Network Connectivity Predicts Response to Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Smoking Cessation: A Preliminary Machine Learning Study. Brain Connect. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40948026


Lin, D., Fan, Y., Wang, J., Chen, L. and Chen, H. (2025). The effects of social situation cues and negative smoking outcome expectancies on attentional bias among smokers. Front Psychiatry, 1264539. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40927022


Ng, Y. J. X., Cheong, S. H. R., Ang, W. W., Lau, Y. and Lau, S. T. (2025). Types, functions, and mechanisms of machine learning for personalizing smoking cessation interventions: A systematic scoping review. Artif Intell Med, 103274. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41005038


Secades-Villa, R., Cuesta-Lopez, I. and Gonzalez-Roz, A. (2025). Pilot randomized controlled trial of a cognitive-behavioral treatment combined with a physical activity tracker for smoking cessation. Drug Alcohol Depend, 112893. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41005179


Shekar, M. C., Bhargav, H., Holla, B., Mahadevan, J., Singh, A., Narasimha, V. L., Katla, N., Snigdha, A., Komal, S., Maheswari, E., Ramachandran, P., Chand, P., Keshavan, M. and Murthy, P. (2025). Development, validation and feasibility testing of a 12-minute Yoga-Breath Linked Intervention to Stop Smoking (Y-BLISS) module. J Family Med Prim Care, 6, 2502-2513. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40726709


Schottl, S. E., Scheibner, L., Fruhauf, A., Kopp-Wilfling, P., Edlinger, M., Holzner, B. and Kopp, M. (2025). Smoking cessation and exercise: perspectives from smokers with and without mental health problems. Front Public Health, 1589719. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40453502


Shang, X., Guo, L., Wang, Y., Guo, K. and Yang, K. (2025). Effectiveness and safety of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation for smoking cessation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Gen Hosp Psychiatry, 18-27. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40472574


Shumin, C., Zhenyu, L., Jia, J. I., Jin, C., Zhihua, L. I., Yingying, W. and Jinsheng, Y. (2025). Acupuncture with different frequencies for tobacco dependence: a randomized controlled trial. J Tradit Chin Med, 3, 651-659. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40524304


Eidenmueller, K., Hoffmann, S., Kammler-Sucker, K., Wenger, L., Mazza, M., Muhle, C., Stenger, M., Meixner, G., Kiefer, F. and Lenz, B. (2025). Reactivity to Smoking Cues in a Social Context: Virtual Reality Experiment. JMIR Form Res, e71285. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40418834


Kroczek, A. M., Schroder, B., Rosenbaum, D., Muhleck, A., Diemer, J., Muhlberger, A., Ehlis, A. C. and Batra, A. (2025). Virtual reality cue exposure as an add-on to smoking cessation group therapy: a randomized controlled trial. Addict Sci Clin Pract, 1, 34. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40211338


Zhang, M., Ren, J., Li, N., Li, Y., Yang, L., Wei, W., Qiu, J., Zhang, X. and Li, X. (2025). Hypnosis efficacy on nicotine addiction: An analysis of EEG microstates and brain oscillation entropy. AIMS Neurosci, 1, 15-31. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40270952


Zhang, Y. Y., Liu, Y. J., Wang, Y., Shen, C., Liang, S. B., Robinson, N., Qiao, H. F. and Liu, J. P. (2025). Effect of acupressure on smoking cessation in young smokers with nicotine dependence: A mixed methods study. Integr Med Res, 1, 101120. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40190742


Casu, M., Guarnera, F., La Rosa, G. R. M., Battiato, S., Caponnetto, P., Polosa, R. and Emma, R. (2025). Smoking Detection and Cessation: An Updated Scoping Review of Digital and Mobile Health Technologies. IEEE J Biomed Health Inform. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40063434


da Silva, G. A., Silva, L. C., Filho, E. M. T., Damasceno, M. V., Monte-Silva, K. and Ximenes-da-Silva, A. (2025). Transcranial direct current stimulation associated with physical exercise can help smokers to quit smoking: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep, 1, 8623. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40074739


Dougan, S. O., Yates, H. C., Horta, M., Brandon, K. O., Rivera, M., Smith, H. R., Martinez, U., Sutton, S. K., Vidrine, D. J., Ritterband, L. H., Wiseman, K. P., Vickerman, K. A., Poudel, R., Yang, M. J., Brandon, T. H. and Vinci, C. (2025). TIP25-241: Utilizing Augmented Reality as an Adjunct for Smoking Cessation: Trial in Progress. J Natl Compr Canc Netw, 3.5. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40154366


Li, S., Jiang, A., Ma, X., Yang, B., Ni, H., Zheng, Y., Wang, Z. and Dong, G. H. (2025). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation reduces smoking cravings by decreasing cerebral blood flow in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Brain Commun, 2, fcaf101. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40084281


Okpako, T., Leppin, C., Chincotta, A., Kale, D., Perski, O. and Brown, J. (2025). Identifying behaviour change techniques, technical features and implementation options for a virtual reality intervention to motivate adult smokers to quit: A focus group study with healthcare and virtual reality experts. Digit Health, 20552076251330510. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40162165


Vinci, C., Sutton, S. K., Yang, M. J., Jones, S. R., Kumar, S. and Wetter, D. W. (2025). Proximal Effects of a Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention for Smoking Cessation With Wearable Sensors: Microrandomized Trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, e55379. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40106803


Xu, J., Zhang, S., Chen, Z. and Wu, Z. (2025). Effects of exercise intervention on tobacco dependence: a meta-analysis. Front Public Health, 1538833. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40041190


Gerhardt, S., Kroth, M., Seeger, A., Schmitt, R., Fritz, H., Diring, L., Shevchenko, Y., Ersche, K. D., Feld, G. and Vollstadt-Klein, S. (2025). Increasing the smoking cessation success rate by enhancing improvement of self-control through sleep-amplified memory consolidation: protocol of a randomized controlled, functional magnetic resonance study. BMC Psychol, 1, 157. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39987116


Girishankara, K. S. M., Shetty, S., Ramaswamy, K. A. and Shetty, P. (2024). Effect of Mind Sound Resonance Technique on Pulmonary Function and Smoking Behavior among Smokers - A Prospective Randomized Control Trial. Int J Yoga, 3, 222-231. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39959505


Liljendahl, M. S., Staal, S. and Tonnesen, H. (2024). Intensive smoking cessation intervention in a nature-based setting: a feasibility study of the Danish gold standard program. Front Public Health, 1470820. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39917521


Mi, Q., Zhao, X., Zhang, Z. and Bao, F. (2025). The effectiveness and safety of auricular acupoint-related therapy for nicotine dependence: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Tob Induc Dis. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39931130


Ozbek, C. and Develi, E. (2025). Effects of Yoga on Pulmonary Parameters, Posture, Body Awareness, and Quality of Life Among Smokers. Altern Ther Health Med. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39960272


Ekanayake, V. and Elkins, G. R. (2025). Systematic Review on Hypnotherapy and Smoking Cessation. Int J Clin Exp Hypn, 1, Apr-78. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39773364


Elkins, G. (2025). Hypnotherapy for Smoking Cessation, Sleep, Pain, and the Potential of Hypnosis Apps. Int J Clin Exp Hypn, 1, 1-Mar. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39836018


Orru, G., Baroni, M., Conversano, C. and Gemignani, A. (2024). Exploring the therapeutic potential of tDCS, TMS and DBS in overcoming tobacco use disorder: an umbrella review. AIMS Neurosci, 4, 449-467. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39801797


Poudel, R., Dougan, S. O., Yates, H., Sawyer, L., Martinez, U., Brandon, K. O., Sutton, S. K., Vidrine, D. J., Ritterband, L. M., Wiseman, K. P., Vickerman, K. A., Turner, K., Byrne, M. M., Yang, M. J., Horta, M., Brandon, T. H. and Vinci, C. (2025). Using augmented reality to deliver cue exposure treatment for smoking cessation: App usability findings and protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials, 107827. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39880329


Koomen, A. P., Kaag, A. M., Jongenelen, K. A. M., Wouters, R., van Marle, H. J. F., van den Heuvel, O. A., van der Werf, Y. D. and De Vries, T. J. (2024). Craving on the move: targeting smoking memories with a novel 3MDR-smoking cessation protocol. Front Psychiatry, 1398027. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39720426


Motka, F., Wittekind, C. E., Ascone, L. and Kuhn, S. (2024). Efficacy and working mechanisms of a Go/No-Go task-based inhibition training in smoking: A randomized-controlled trial. Behav Res Ther, 104672. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39733608


Sahebihagh, M. H., Hosseinzadeh, M., Mirghafourvand, M., Sarbakhsh, P. and Nemati, H. (2024). Challenges of smoking cessation in users of non-invasive stimulation technologies in Iran: a parallel convergent mixed-methods study. BMJ Open, 12, e091253. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39725436


Earlier news and research

For news items and research on this topic earlier than 2025, click here.

Intro
Chapter 2