The Effectiveness of Acupuncture on Obesity

Introduction

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Background

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Method

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​Result

Table 1. Trials of acupuncture for enhancing weight loss

Studies

Sample

size

Length of Treatment

Post-treatment outcomes

lee et al 2006

31

1 year

The percent reductions were 5.3% were in body weight

shirarshi et.al 2003

55

18 weeks

63.6% showed a decreased body weight

cabioglu et al 2006

52

20days

An increase in weight loss was observed when weight loss in EA group(p<0.000) was compared to that in the diet restricted and placebo EA groups

Hsu et al 2005

54

3months

Electro acupuncture showed significant differences in the   % reductions in body weight(p=0.001)

Table 2. Reviews of acupuncture for enhancing weight loss

Studies

Location

Conclusion

Lancey et al 2003

USA

In light of the evidence, we believe acupuncture a useful adjunct in weight management that deserves more careful study.

sui et al 2011

Hong Kong

CHM and acupuncture were more effective than placebo or lifestyle modification in reducing body weight.

cho et al 2009

Korea

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for obesity. However, the amount of evidence is not fully convincing.

Discussion

In Traditional Chinese Medicine,  obesity and/or excess appetite has been conceptualized in a variety of ways, based on these beliefs about the causes of obesity, a variety of acupoints are targeted in the treatment of obesity.

The philosophy of TCM emphasizes on ‘personalized therapy ’, depending on the symptoms and signs, different patients may be given different acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture was better tolerated than Western drugs, with reportedly less weight gain after treatment discontinuation.

This study had several limitations:

• The number of RCT was small

• The quality of trials and the reporting of trial methodologies were generally weak

• Most studies to date have been of short duration

Future recommendations

• Adequate placebo controls

• Standardized treatment

• Evaluate as a complementary treatment

• Long-term studies

Conclusion​

In this study indicates that acupuncture for obesity has some beneficial effect compared to placebo or lifestyle control, although the results are of limited value due to the poor methodological quality of the included studies which prevent us from drawing a definitive conclusion for the effectiveness of acupuncture. However, acupuncture therapy for obesity is a relatively safe treatment.

Reference

1. Zhang, X. (2008), ‘A Clinical Survery of Acupuncture Slimming’, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine; 28(2), pp:139-147

2. J M Lacey, A M Tershakovec and G D Foster(2003). ‘Acupuncture for the treatment of obesity : a review of the evidence’, International Journal of obesity, 27, 419-427.[online] DOI:10.1038/sj.ijo.0802254 (Accessed:10th March 2012).

3. Lee, M S, Kim, J H, Lim,H-J, Shin,B-C,(2006) ‘Effects of abdominal electroacupuncture on parameters related to obesity in obese women: a pilot study’. Complementary therapies in clinical practice,12,pp:97-100. [Online] available at http://www.elsevierhealth.com/journals/ctnm. (Accessed: 09 Feb 2012)

4. Sun, H. (2008), ‘Relation between treatment course and therapeutic effects of acupuncture for female obesity of different types’, Journal of traditional Chinese medicine 28(4):pp.258-261

5. Cho, S-H, Lee, J-S, Thabane, L., Lee,J.(2009) ‘Acupuncture for obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis’, International journal of obesity 33, pp.183-196 [onlin] available at http://www.nature.com/ijo, DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2008269(Accessed: 10th Mar 2012)