Efficacy of Two Different Materials used in Auricular Acupressure on Weight Reduction and Abdominal Obesity

Abstract

The current study was designed to test the efficacy of different materials used in an auricular acupressure program on weight reduction, changes to waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio. This study used a randomized design with two groups who were treated with auricular acupressure using Semen Vaccariae or the Japanese Magnetic Pearl. Both groups consisted of Asian young adults with a waist circumference ≥ 80 cm in the females and ≥ 90 cm in the males. At completion of the eight-week treatment period, the total sample size was 56 young adults who ranged in age from 18 to 20 years old. Each participant was met with weekly for ten-minute sessions during which ear acupressure treatment was performed. Sessions continued for eight weeks wherein both groups received acupressure with the Japanese Magnetic Pearl or Semen Vaccariae on the ear acupoints. While both groups showed significant reductions (p ≤ 0.05) to body weight and waist circumference after eight weeks of treatments, the group treated with Semen Vaccariae group showed a more effective weight loss over the short term. Given that auricular acupressure is a safe and cost-effective treatment for weight loss, our results suggest that auricular acupressure is a reasonable option for the treatment of overweight and obesity in young adults.

Comparison of Magnetic Auriculotherapy, Laser Auriculotherapy and Their Combination for Treatment of Insomnia in the Elderly: A Double-Blinded Randomised Trial

“…Numerous clinical trials reported the use of MAT on different disorders, including but not limited to sleep disturbances [12, 45, 46], low back pain [13], constipation [14], and obesity [47]. The effectiveness of MAT may relate to the interaction of magnetic fields with blood flow and calcium channel proteins in the cell membrane.…”

Efficacy of acupuncture for lifestyle risk factors for stroke: A systematic review

“…Study results reported statistically significant within-intervention group effects for all BW, BMI, and WC with auricular acupressure (BW [ 60 , 61 , 64 – 66 , 71 ]; BMI [ 56 , 60 , 61 , 64 – 66 , 71 ]; WC [ 60 , 61 , 64 , 65 ]), combined auricular acupressure and TEAS [ 63 ], combined auricular acupressure and exercise [ 68 ], and body acupuncture [ 67 , 70 ]. Additionally, study results reported statistically significant within-intervention group effects for both BW and BMI with TEAS [ 62 ] and combined body acupuncture and massage [ 76 ].…”

“…Additionally, study results reported statistically significant within-intervention group effects for both BW and BMI with TEAS [ 62 ] and combined body acupuncture and massage [ 76 ]. Statistically significant between-group effects were reported for all BW, BMI, and WC with auricular acupressure (BW [ 61 , 61 , 65 , 71 ]; BMI [ 71 ]; WC [ 60 , 61 , 65 ]), auricular acupuncture (BW [ 51 , 72 , 73 ]; BMI [ 72 , 73 ]; WC [ 54 , 74 ]), and body acupuncture (BW [ 54 ]; BMI [ 54 , 74 ]; WC [ 54 , 74 ]). Combined body acupuncture and auricular acupuncture with/without exercise and diet has also shown statistically significant between-group effects for BW [ 53 ] and BMI [ 58 ], respectively.…”

Contemporary acupressure therapy: Adroit cure for painless recovery of therapeutic ailments

“…Acupressure and cognitive behaviour therapy helps to improve the lifestyles in obese people 152 . AA alone is used to treat overweight along with controlling abdominal obesity, changes of waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio in young adults 153, 154. AA is normally combined with various treatments like Sinapsis alba seeds, 155 Japanese magnetic pearls or vaccaria seeds 156 and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) 157 to control BMI in obese people.…”