Electroacupuncture Treatment for Women with Primary Obesity: A Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

The purpose of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture treatment for women with “primary obesity.” Primary obesity is caused by an imbalance in energy intake and consumption due to abnormal eating and living habits in the absence of specific diseases causing the obesity. A literature review (up to December 2019) of randomized controlled trials (RCT) of electroacupuncture treatment for women with “primary obesity” was performed. Relevant clinical studies were retrieved from several databases, and interventions and results were analyzed. There were 6 RCT that fitted the inclusion criteria for this review. The intervention for the treatment group of the selected 6 RCT was electrical stimulation applied to acupoints. Interventions for the control groups included non-treatment, general acupuncture, and so on. Indicators for assessing treatment effects varied from study to study. Four out of 5 studies used body mass index (BMI) as an assessment tool and showed a significant decrease in BMI following electroacupuncture treatment. There were 4 studies using waist circumference as an indicator of abdominal obesity and these studies showed a significant decrease in waist circumference following electroacupuncture treatment. Electroacupuncture treatment used in primary obese women had a clinically significant effect, however, further RCT are needed.

Effect of Electro-Acupuncture versus Ultrasound Cavitation on Leptin Hormone in Females with Insulin Resistance

“…The results of IR women's results agreed with Arabpour-Dahoue et al [12] who found a significant decrease in obese patients' body weight/mass, WC, and leptin hormone after applying an intervention constituted from EA and dietary restriction program. Also, the systematic review of Lee et al [13] reported a significant role of EA in reducing WC and body mass/weight in patients with abdominal obesity. Also, Notonegoro et al [14] demonstrated that the body weight/mass, WC, and BMI could be significantly improved after utilizing the therapeutic effects of EA in perimenopausal women with abdominal obesity.…”