Abstract
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients’ satisfaction with National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) acupuncture services in two community mental health settings.
Design:
Cross-sectional, mixed-methods study. Participants who had participated in acupuncture services were given a survey that contained both quantitative and qualitative items.
Settings:
Participants were recruited from two community mental health centers in the New England area.
Participants:
Fifty patients enrolled in community mental health centers. They were eligible to participate in the study if they had attended at least one acupuncture session. Twenty-five percent of the sample comprised monolingual Spanish-speakers.
Interventions:
Participants had received at least one session of auricular acupuncture according to the NADA protocol.
Outcome measures:
Participants completed a satisfaction survey that contained 10 items in English or Spanish.
Results:
On a 5-point Likert scale, participants reported that they found acupuncture beneficial (mean, 4.35; standard deviation, 0.78). Data from the qualitative items were analyzed and revealed two prominent themes: (1) relaxation and (2) improved focus and concentration. Eight percent of the sample reported no benefit of acupuncture during the session.
Conclusion:
Overall, the patients reported high satisfaction with the acupuncture services received, as well as a variety of benefits (relaxation, improved focus and concentration, improvement in psychiatric symptoms or substance use craving, and somatic benefits).
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