Effect of acupoint catgut embedding for simple obesity in adults: A randomized controlled double-blind trial

IF 2.8 4区医学 Q2 INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE

Integrative Medicine Research Pub Date : 2025-05-14 DOI:10.1016/j.imr.2025.101151

Qiwang Yang , Nenggui Xu , Lidong Guo , Hui Li , Xiaoyan Li , Qingmei Zeng , Wenyue Zhang , Shiping Li , Wei Yi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) is considered an effective treatment for simple obesity, though high-quality clinical evidence remains lacking. To establish a solid evidence base in obesity management, well-designed studies are needed to verify both the short- and long-term efficacy and safety of ACE.

Methods

In this randomized controlled, double-blind trial, 120 patients with simple obesity were initially allocated to verum ACE (n = 60) or sham ACE group (n = 60) .One participant allocated to the verum group was excluded during screening for failing to meet BMI criteria (<24 kg/m²), resulting in a final cohort of 59 verum and 60 sham cases completing the 12-week intervention and 12-week follow-up. The primary outcome was the change in body weight from baseline to week 12. Secondary outcomes included body weight change at 12-week follow-up, cumulative weight change by week 24, changes in body mass index (BMI), body fat status, body circumference, and appetite indicators.

Results

After the 12-week treatment, both groups showed varying degrees of weight loss, with the verum ACE group experiencing a significantly greater reduction compared to the sham group. At the 12-week follow-up, the visceral fat grade of the verum group was significantly greater than that of sham group. The waist, upper arm, and thigh girths in the verum group decreased significantly more than that in sham group; the reduction degree of waist-hip ratio was significantly better than that in the sham group at all time points. Additionally, the cumulative reduction in appetite factors was significantly higher in the verum group compared to the sham group.

Conclusion

ACE can significantly reduce body weight, and is both long-lasting and safe. It also has beneficial effects on fat distribution, body circumference, and appetite, making it a promising complementary therapy for simple obesity.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100046693.

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穴位埋线治疗成人单纯性肥胖：一项随机对照双盲试验

穴位埋线（ACE）被认为是治疗单纯性肥胖的有效方法，但仍缺乏高质量的临床证据。为了在肥胖管理中建立坚实的证据基础，需要精心设计的研究来验证ACE的短期和长期疗效和安全性。方法在本随机对照双盲试验中，120例单纯性肥胖患者最初被分配到verum ACE组（n = 60）和sham ACE组（n = 60），其中verum组1例因BMI不符合标准（24 kg/m²）而被排除，最终有59例verum和60例sham患者完成了12周的干预和12周的随访。主要结局是体重从基线到第12周的变化。次要结局包括随访12周时的体重变化、第24周时的累计体重变化、体重指数（BMI）、体脂状况、体围和食欲指标的变化。结果治疗12周后，两组患者均出现不同程度的体重减轻，其中verum ACE组的体重减轻幅度明显大于sham组。随访12周，肺脏脂肪分级明显高于假手术组。髋部组大鼠腰部、上臂、大腿围围较假手术组明显减小；各时间点腰臀比减小程度均明显优于假手术组。此外，与假药组相比，verum组的食欲因素累积减少量明显更高。结论ace能显著降低体重，且长效、安全。它还对脂肪分布、体围和食欲有有益的影响，使其成为单纯性肥胖的一种有希望的补充疗法。中国临床试验注册中心，ChiCTR2100046693。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Integrative Medicine Research Medicine-Complementary and Alternative Medicine

CiteScore

6.50

自引率

2.90%

发文量

审稿时长

12 weeks

期刊介绍： Integrative Medicine Research (IMR) is a quarterly, peer-reviewed journal focused on scientific research for integrative medicine including traditional medicine (emphasis on acupuncture and herbal medicine), complementary and alternative medicine, and systems medicine. The journal includes papers on basic research, clinical research, methodology, theory, computational analysis and modelling, topical reviews, medical history, education and policy based on physiology, pathology, diagnosis and the systems approach in the field of integrative medicine.