Auricular or body acupuncture: which one is more effective in reducing abdominal fat mass in Iranian men with obesity: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

BackgroundThe prevalence of abdominal obesity is on the rise worldwide. Previous studies have indicated the higher diagnostic value of body fat distribution pattern compared with general body in abdominal obesity assessments. Several non-pharmacological methods have been suggested for obesity management, of which acupuncture has gained a great deal of research interest with promising results.This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the effects of conventional auricular and body electroacupuncture on abdominal fat mass in obese men.MethodsThe volunteers were randomly divided into four groups, including 2 interventions and 2 controls. This study was conducted on 80 obese volunteer men with Body Mass Index (BMI) range of 30–40 kg/m2.The intervention groups including real body electroacupuncture (A), real auricular acupuncture (C) and the control groups containing sham body electroacupuncture (B), and sham auricular acupuncture (D). All groups were in combination with a low-calorie diet for 6 weeks. BMI, Trunk Fat Mass (TFM), Waist Circumference (WC), and Hip Circumference (HC) were measured pre- and post-intervention.ResultsIn group A, respectively a significant reduction was shown in BMI (P < 0.005), TFM (P < 0.005), WC (P < 0.05, P < 0.005) and HC (P < 0.005) when compared with controls (Groups B and D). Interestingly, group C had significant decreases in BMI (P < 0.005), TFM (P < 0.01, P < 0.005), WC (P < 0.005) and HC (P < 0.001) after comparison with the sham. Likewise, WC (P < 0.05) and HC (P < 0.05) were significantly reduced post- intervention when compared with two treatment groups.ConclusionsIn our study, acupuncture treatment (body or auricular) seemed to have an effect on reducing BMI, TFM, WC and HC. Comparison of the two types of treatment (body and auricular acupuncture) suggests that the two types of acupuncture had similar effects on reducing BMI and TFM, but body electroacupuncture is more effective in reducing WC and auricular in HC. It seems that both auricular and body electro-acupuncture combined with a low-calorie diet are efficient, simple and painless methods to reduce respectively the HC and WC fat in obese men, compared with conventional techniques.Trial registrationIRCT201201127117N2

Sham Electroacupuncture Methods in Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Among them, 5 studies29549095107 were published between 1992 and 1999; 33 studies22242527303138454752535657586768717273747778818384929397104105106110111 were published between 2000 and 2010; the remaining 56 studies1819202123262832333435363739404142434446484950515559606162636465666970757679808285868788899194969899100101102103108109 were reported from 2010 to 2015 (Fig. 2).…”

“…2). Indications for EA included pain (32 studies)1819212426273133363740424547515256606667727682848890929697103110111, anesthesia (8 studies)46507374868994102, stroke (7 studies)2528293462105106, depression (6 studies)235359656880, obesity (4 studies)32495470, primary dysmenorrheal/menstrual pain (4 studies)619899101, substance abuse (heroin or smoking) (3 studies)6495107, osteoarthritis (2 studies)22104, migraine (2 studies)3978, nausea and vomiting (2 studies)3857, postoperative ileus (2 studies)3591, insomnia (2 studies)6381, benign prostate hyperplasia (2 studies)7987, diabetic mellitus related diseases (2 studies)83109, carpal tunnel syndrome (1 study)100, rheumatoid arthritis (1 study)93, whiplash-associated disorders (1 study)69, constipation (1 study)48, multiple sclerosis (1 study)41, tinnitus (1 study)20, auditory hallucination (1 study)30, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (1 study)…”

“…Eight studies utilized pricking sensation to mimic needle sensation and blind participants in control group2021235260636781. Forty-two studies1920212226272831323334353739404243444647505158606162646566707177787983858992100104105106 applied EA at high intensity with maximum tolerance, and seventeen studies24295456598082868790959899102107108111 applied EA with low intensity below pain threshold or at a comfortable level with presence or absence of muscle contractions. The other trials were lacking in details on the intensity of stimulation.…”

“…Ten different types of sham EA methods used in the trials were identified as follows: (1) sham EA type A were used in twenty-six control groups18192021223133374060666773747681949697102103104106108109110; (2) sham EA type B were used in seven control groups232459658488105; (3) sham EA type C were used in seven control groups28444749517582; (4) sham EA type D were used in six control groups294362647293; (5) sham EA type F were used in seven control groups386171789899101; (6) sham EA type L were used in seventeen control groups26273943464850535461777985899899101; (7) sham EA type M were used in three control groups426869; (8) sham EA type N were used in four control groups63839095; (9) sham EA type O were used in fourteen control groups303235414556575870808687…”

“…For the needle location, 48 sham EA groups25262730323435363839414243454648505253545556575861636869707779808385868789909192959899100101107111 chose non-acupoints that were either located away from the therapeutic acupoints with a distance ranging from 1 cm to 40 cm or devised in advance to avoid any known meridian or extra-point. Seven sham EA groups386171789899101 received nonspecific acupuncture points which were thought to be ineffective for treating the diseases.…”