Cumulative weight reduction across repeated acupoint catgut embedding sessions in obese women: a retrospective cohort study

Acupoint catgut embedding (ACE), a minimally invasive acupuncture-derived technique, is gaining popularity in weight management, yet high-quality evidence focusing specifically on obese individuals remains sparse. This retrospective cohort study was designed to assess whether ACE is associated with lower body mass index (BMI) in obese women and whether this association accumulates across repeated sessions.

We included obese women (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m², aged 18-60 years) who completed four ACE treatments and attended five study visits (baseline and four post-treatment assessments) at Peking University Third Hospital from January 2016 to September 2025. An untreated control group of volunteers with similar baseline age and BMI was enrolled prospectively; their weight was recorded at five biweekly visits without any intervention. Baseline variables and serial BMI measurements were compared between groups using non-parametric tests.

Ninety-eight participants in the ACE group and 33 participants in the control group were analysed. The two groups were similar at baseline in age, height, weight, BMI, and waist circumference. By the third, fourth, and fifth visits, the ACE group showed significantly lower BMI than the control group (P = 0.043, 0.001, and <0.001, respectively). Within the ACE group, BMI at visits 2 through 5 was significantly lower than baseline, suggesting a cumulative association across successive sessions.

Some evidence from this study suggests that ACE may be associated with weight loss in obese women, with differences becoming detectable after two sessions and appearing to strengthen with additional treatments. No major adverse events were identified during the observed treatment period, supporting ACE as a possible adjunctive option for obesity care.