Effects of electroacupuncture in reducing weight and waist circumference in obese women: a randomized crossover trial

Hsu, C. h.

Hwang, K. C.

Chao, C. L.

Lin, J. G.

Kao, S. T.

Chou, P.

International journal of obesity

2005

29(11)

1379-1384

RCT

Acu Versus Usual Care

Acupuncture

Cross-Over Design

Electroacupuncture

Fixed Acupuncture Protocol

Obesity

RCT

Restricted Modalities, Acupuncture Only

Usual Care Control, Physical

TCM Acupuncture Style

Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Weight Loss

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of weight control on simple obese women between electroacupuncture and sit-up exercise. DESIGN: Randomized and crossover trial conducted from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2002. The subjects were randomly divided into groups A and B. Group A received electroacupuncture treatment first while group B received sit-up exercise treatment first. After 6 weeks of treatment and 7 days of washout, group A switched to sit-up exercise treatment and group B received electroacupuncture treatment for another 6 weeks. PATIENTS: In total, 54 simple obese women, with waist circumference (WC)>90 cm and body mass index (BMI)>30 kg/m(2), and who had not received any other weight control maneuver within the last 3 months. MEASUREMENT: The measurements of body weight (BW), BMI and WC were performed at the beginning, 6, 8 and 13 weeks. The data at different time periods were compared and expressed as % reductions. RESULTS: Electroacupuncture (n=46) showed significant differences in the % reductions in BW (P=0.001), BMI (P=0.003) and WC (P=0.005) compared with sit-up exercise. At the end of 13 weeks, there were no significant difference between groups A (n=24) and B (n=22) in all the measurements. At the end of the study, groups A and B showed significant differences in the % reductions in BW (P=0.004; 0.001), BMI (P=0.003; 0.021) and WC (P< or =0.001; 0.001) compared with the initial values. CONCLUSIONS: Electroacupuncture treatment is more effective than sit-up exercise in reducing weight and WC, making it an alternative treatment option for weight and WC control on obese women

Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

>1/WK

54

6 Weeks