Scales with a yellow measuring tape on them, surrounded by fitness accessories such as dumbbells, skipping rope, running shoes and healthy food such as apples and oatmeal on a wooden floor.

Study on the effect of acupuncture for the treatment of obesity

Junfeng He et al.

April 2015

Lose weight

Other fasting

Overweight / obesity

The Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, in cooperation with Liuyang Hospital, looked at one of today's most common health risks, obesity. The study examined the treatability of obesity through acupuncture. The sample consisted of 56 overweight women with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 who were divided into two groups. One group received a combined treatment of acupuncture and massage (MAMT), the other only acupuncture therapy (MAT). In addition, 40 overweight women with a BMI of 23-25 kg/m2 were divided into a MAMT and MAT group. Treatment was given once a day for 21 days.

The results showed that both MAMT and MAT were able to significantly reduce BMI and body weight. However, it was also found that the greatest weight loss occurred within the first four days. From an economic point of view, MAT is therefore the only viable alternative therapy for the treatment of obesity in adults.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Overweight
Institution: Liuyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Liuyang City, China
Title: Study on the effect of acupuncture for the treatment of obesity
Brief description: Study shows that acupuncture and acupuncture combined with massage reduce BMI and body weight in overweight patients.
Original title: Effect of Combined Manual Acupuncture and Massage on Body Weight and Body Mass Index Reduction in Obese and Overweight Women: A Randomized, Short-term Clinical Trial
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25952121/