Adding thread-embedding acupuncture to auricular acupuncture enhances short-term weight reduction in overweight and obesity: A double-blinded, randomized, sham-controlled trial

Background

Auricular acupuncture (AA) has been widely used in overweight and obesity management due to its safety and effectiveness. The combination of other acupuncture therapies with thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) has shown enhanced effects. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding AA plus TEA for overweight and obesity. This study was conducted to address this question.

Methods

A randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted involving 66 overweight or obese participants, divided into two groups: 33 received AA plus TEA, and 33 received AA plus sham TEA over eight weeks. The primary outcome was body weight (BW) reduction. Secondary outcomes included changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), food cravings questionnaire-trait-reduced (FCQ-Tr) and food craving visual analog scale (VAS) scores. Safety outcomes were adverse events (AEs).

Results

After eight weeks, BW decreased by a mean (SD) of -4.45 (1.29) kg and -2.05 (1.33) kg in the AA plus TEA and AA plus sham TEA groups, respectively (MD [95 % CI]: 2.40 [1.75; 3.05]). BMI, WC, WHR, and food craving VAS score decreased significantly more in the AA plus TEA group than in the AA plus sham TEA group. No significant differences were found in FCQ-Tr and HC between groups. Seven AEs were recorded that were mild and resolved without treatment.

Conclusion

The addition of TEA to AA is a safe and effective management of overweight and obesity. Further studies should incorporate dietary and lifestyle modifications and follow-up after the intervention to assess long-term effectiveness.

Trial registration

The study protocol had been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06091761).