[Effect of acupuncture therapy on appetite of obesity patients]

To observe the effect of acupuncture intervention on the appetite of obesity patients.

A total of 118 obesity patients were randomized into acupuncture group (76 cases, treated by true acupuncture needles) and placebo group (42 cases, treated by placebo acupuncture needles) using single-blind method. All the patients of the two groups were ordered to control their diet during the treatment. The acupoints around the umbilicus [Zhongwan (CV 12), Zhongji (CV 3), Daheng (SP 15), Xiawan (CV 10), Shimen (CV 5) and Tianshu (ST 25), etc.] and Liangqiu (ST 34), Zusanli (ST 36), and Yin-lingquan (SP 9) were punctured with filiform needles which were manipulated with uniform reducing and reinforcing method for a while tijl "Deqi" and retained for 30 min. The treatment was conducted once every other day, 12 times altogether. Body mass index (BMI), and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of eating-desire and hunger feeling and prospective food consumption were measured before and after the treatment. The gastric fluid survival rate (GFSR) was evaluated by using ultrasound scanning.

The BMI in the acupuncture group was obviously declined after the treatment in comparison with the placebo group (P < 0.01). Compared to the placebo group, the VAS scores of eating-desire, hunger feeling and prospective food consumption were significantly decreased in the acupuncture group ( P < 0.05), but there are no significant difference between two groups in the VAS score of gastric fullness feeling (P > 0.05). The GFSR was obviously increased in the acupuncture group compared to the placebo group (P < 0.05).

Acupuncture therapy can significantly decrease BMI and delay the digesting time and control the appetite in obesity patients, which may contribute to its effect in body weight reduction.