National Kidney Foundation of Michigan is accepting applications for Innovative Projects Related to Preventing Chronic Health Conditions: For projects that promote making healthy choices specifically impacting the four health behaviors and/or the four health indicators of Governor Snyder’s 4X4 plan. Health behaviors include: maintaining a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, getting an annual physical exam, and quitting smoking. Health indicators include: body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
2. Program Abstract (4 pts.): Abstract should be 75 words or less.
Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham pairs principles of ancient acupuncture with modern laser technology to offer a unique, comprehensive and alternative approach to nicotine addiction without pain, needles, drugs or side effects. Alpha Lifestyle Center originated in Windsor, Ontario (1986). Laser therapy is one component of our program; behavior modification techniques help individuals manage habits, triggers and associations and supplementation (recommended) helps to accelerate repair and promote healthy feelings about quitting to keep clients motivated.
3. Statement of Problem and Goal(s) (5 pts.): Nominations must state the problem that was addressed and the goals of the program. (500 words or less)
More people in the U.S. are addicted to nicotine than any other drug. Nicotine is more potent than cocaine, amphetamines and morphine to compel repetitive behavior. Smoking is responsible for 1 in 5 deaths in the USA. 1000 people/day in the U.S. die due to smoking related illnesses. Tobacco use is a risk factor for six of the eight leading causes of death in the world. 50-60% of smokers will die of a tobacco-related disease, and will often suffer significant morbidity prior to death. The Surgeon General reports that smoking causes diseases in every organ of the body—including the kidney. People who stop smoking greatly reduce their risk for disease and early death. Yet, 18% of U.S. adults still smoke.
Nicotine addiction is a chronic disease (DSM-5 Tobacco Use Disorder) marked by periods of abstinence and relapse. But nicotine addiction is also considered a modifiable behavior. Which is it? A disease or a behavior? It complicated!
70% of smokers want to quit and 44% of them will try this year, yet the likelihood of a smoker abstaining for one year is only 4-7% if they don’t seek help. There are currently 6 approved medications for tobacco cessation. When prescribed appropriately and used as directed/recommended, studies report that only about 25% of smokers who use them can stay smoke-free >6 months.
Tobacco Dependence Pharmacotherapy (Varenicline, Buproprion, NRT’s), when prescribed and used properly, are safe and effective approaches to quitting. Problems arise when these products are dosed incorrectly (side effects), stopped prematurely (efficacy), when patients cannot tolerate them (side effects) or when patients cannot/will not pay them (affordability). Current best practices recommend active treatment for a minimum of 6 months and up to one year!
Physicians are not nicotine addiction experts and they don’t have the time or training to provide a comprehensive evaluation and consultation regarding tobacco cessation (knowledge). Combined with the inherent challenges of pharmacotherapy, these issues can significantly compromise the efficacy of a prescribed treatment approach. Even if a treatment failure (failed quit attempt) is unrelated to dosing/prescribing, it is still a negative association with a product despite the likelihood of a better outcome if they had been prescribed/used correctly. As a result of the negative association, it is unlikely that a patient will agree to revisit the same approach again. So, while there are several approved and evidence-based practices available to help individuals quit smoking…..it’s not enough since quitting will require, on average 6-8 attempts.
Conclusion: more options are needed to encourage people to keep trying. Options should reflect a growing demand for alternative, or non-medical, approaches to wellness. Laser therapy (or laser acupuncture) is one of those options.
Goal: to develop a unique, comprehensive and alternative approach to quitting smoking that addresses some common barriers to quitting including, but not limited to: knowledge, convenience, side effects and cost.
4. Program Design and Intervention (40 pts.): Nominations must clearly discuss the intervention and explain how it had a direct impact on the health issue or target population. Describe the steps taken to solve the problem and how the intervention addressed the stated goals. (500 words or less)
Upon arrival, customers are greeted by a friendly and empathetic staff member. He/she will be asked to complete an intake form (included) which requests basic contact information and information about major health conditions. Questions are included to assess a client’s motivation and readiness to quit. Information about past efforts and methods used to quit are solicited. This information is necessary to individualize/customize the appointment. The customer will then be escorted to a treatment room and asked to position themselves comfortably on a chaise lounge; warm colors and soothing sounds create a calming environment.
The technician will evaluate the general disposition and spirit of the customer and either proceed with explaining the program or address immediate concerns about the program or about quitting. If appropriate, the technician will use motivational interviewing techniques to help the customer manage their feelings about change; feelings about the importance of quitting and confidence in their ability to quit smoking. Where appropriate, a dialog about past efforts to quit and previous methods used will be examined.
Once a customer’s overall comfort has been established and permission has been granted, the technician will proceed with the appointment. A video overview will explain how the appointment will unfold, including sanitization of the equipment and cleansing of the treatment areas (ears) to remove surface substances that can interfere with skin conduction. Following an introduction to laser therapy, a technician will begin the actual laser treatment. Treatment areas include traditional acupuncture points on the ears, face, hands and wrists. The video reviews the physiology of nicotine addiction and details how laser acupuncture addresses physical withdrawal symptoms (irritability, anxiety, short temper, depressed mood, lack of focus). It will be explained that laser therapy is appropriate for individuals struggling with nicotine addiction in any form (chewing tobacco, Nicotine Replacement Therapies, e-cigarettes and hookah). Laser therapy will be compared and contrasted briefly to other quitting methods (Nicotine Replacement Therapies/Pharmaceuticals). Customers will be coached about personal ownership and cautioned about the manipulative nature of addiction and relapse crisis environments (other users, social situations). The video outlines specific relapse prevention and disassociation techniques to help minimize associations, triggers and habits. The availability of a free booster (modified laser treatment ) will be emphasized to help individuals manage uncomfortable thoughts or unmanageable cravings, should they occur. Finally, recommendations for supplementation (optional) will be covered to quickly detoxify the body, accelerate healing and enhance a customer’s experience with our program and with quitting. Our signature recommendation is a baking ingredient combined with orange juice!
At the conclusion of the video and laser treatment the technician will highlight important program recommendations on the take-home sheet and final questions will be addressed. Customers will then be asked to surrender all nicotine products; a “Kiss me I just quit smoking” sticker and a customized magnetic To-Do pad with “Quit Smoking” checked off will be presented; an emphatic “Congratulations!” will be offered.
5. Assessment, Outcomes, and Impact (40 pts.): Discuss the evaluation process used to determine the program’s effectiveness since implementation. Clearly identify program results: 1. Provide program outcomes and 2. Describe impact on the target population. (500 words or less)
The parent company to Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham (est. 2006) was established in 1986 in Windsor, Ontario. This unique and alternative approach to nicotine addiction has been viable for nearly 3 decades; however no formal evaluation process to determine our program’s effectiveness in the US has been developed.
Laser acupuncture is not FDA approved for nicotine addiction. It is considered an alternative approach to lifestyle improvements. Class IIIb lasers (synonymous with low-level, cold and soft lasers) are classified “Non-significant risk” devices. In the United States (unlike Canada) laser therapy is considered investigational, and compliance with regulations requires that an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approve and oversee the research of the clients (subjects) and collect data on the outcomes. Because what we do is considered investigational, we do not provide a success rate for our programs, nor do we make guarantees or claims about the results.
Alpha Lifestyle Center had received approval for a Phase II clinical trial, “Laser therapy in the treatment of nicotine addiction as delivered by tobacco smoke.” From our experience with the IRB’s we have worked with in the past, the organizations have been primarily concerned with obtaining the approval fees and not with the proper execution, follow-up and ongoing responsibility of insuring compliance in the industry. We hope these are isolated incidents and are currently working to identify another organization to work with to continue our research.
We believe our program is indeed innovative and that it is committed to preventing the many chronic health conditions related to tobacco use and dependence. Quitting smoking was identified as a primary health behavior indicator in Governor Snyder’s 4 X 4 plan. However, we understand that as a for-profit business (and not a research project) we may not be an appropriate candidate for the designation of Innovative Projects Related to Preventing Chronic Health Conditions. We also understand the skepticism and criticism that may exist about our approach to nicotine addiction and in no way do we intend to align ourselves with clinical research or the medical community. We are proud of our program and our dedication to the individuals who seek our support. We were honored to have been referred to you by a colleague and were excited to participate. We have enjoyed preparing our application material and found it to be a valuable experience. Thank you for taking the time to learn about us
Our program outcomes are best described by our referral rate (nearly 100%) and our repeat business (~40% of revenue). Remembering that nicotine addiction is a chronic disease marked by periods of abstinence and relapse, returning/referred customers are our best indicator that we have a sustainable business, provide excellent customer service and offer valuable support to those struggling to quit. The impact Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham has on customers is much greater, more subjective and personal. It is not easily measured; it is “felt.” The impact is what motivates us to continue our work and constantly improve our program.
6. Sustainability and Replicability (15 pts.): Describe leadership actions taken to demonstrate commitment to the project and promote future project sustainability and replicability in other settings. Outline steps taken to assess the program’s continuted impact on the target population’s health/wellbeing. (500 words or less)
Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham has been using the same laser acupuncture protocols that were established by the parent company in Windsor, Ontario in 1986. The replicability of the actual laser treatment is rather straightforward provided that the technician follows the protocol and has knowledge and understanding of human anatomy, particularly that of the auricle. The sustainability of the protocol/program has also been established; the company has nearly 3 decades of experience in Canada; the Michigan business is entering our 10th year this month.
In the last decade our program (independently owned/operated) in Michigan has evolved into (what we believe to be) one of the most comprehensive approaches to tobacco use and dependence available without a prescription or a nicotine substitute. And while our outcomes have not been scientifically evaluated, our value to our customers based on returning visits and customer referrals has been established.
Since 2006 we have duplicated the same laser stop smoking program that thousands of Canadians and Americans alike have used to lessen the burden of withdrawal from nicotine. Our commitment to this end is further evidenced by the evolution and expansion of the program to include a greater educational component and dedicated support systems. In 2010 we developed and launched a video to supplement and enhance the customer experience. The video is a visual tool to help customers understand the physiology of nicotine addiction which will help prepare them to manage the many potential challenges of, or barriers to, quitting. It describes how laser therapy works and clearly outlines the tools and resources that round out our program. We are launching the 2nd edition of the video very soon and we suspect that it won’t be long before work on a 3rd edition will commence. Changes to nicotine delivery systems, tobacco products, tobacco cessation tools and research are constant. An effective program should acknowledge and address these changes, so updates to our program are necessary. Additionally, the owner/operator recently returned from a week in Minnesota at the Mayo Clinic for a Tobacco Training Specialist course. We have already implemented strategies from the training to our customer evaluation/interaction. We are also hopeful that the designation will positively impact our image and reduce skepticism about the value of our program.
Nicotine addiction is complicated. Tobacco cessation resources are limited. Options are necessary. Alpha Lifestyle Center of Birmingham may be the only business dedicated almost entirely to this mission. We are proud to offer laser therapy as a resource for individuals struggling with nicotine addiction.
7. Project Budget (1pt): n/a
