Journal of Acupuncture Research

Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine Society (대한침구의학회)
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Efficacy of Electroacupuncture using an Insulated Needle in Adults with Abdominal Obesity: A Pilot Study

  • Oh, Seo Young (Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine, Cheonan oriental hospital of Daejeon University) ;
  • Lee, Hyun (Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine, Cheonan oriental hospital of Daejeon University) ;
  • Yun, Gee Won (Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine, Cheonan oriental hospital of Daejeon University) ;
  • Kang, Jae Hui (Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine, Cheonan oriental hospital of Daejeon University)
  • Received : 2017.04.10
  • Accepted : 2017.05.08
  • Published : 2017.05.20
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Abstract

Objectives : This study evaluated the efficacy of electroacupuncture therapy using an insulated needle in adults with abdominal obesity. Methods : This study was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-designed pilot trial. Sixteen participants eligible according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly divided into an insulated needle group and a control group. Insulated or common needles were inserted at acupoints located on the abdomen (CV12, CV6, ST25, ST27, SP15) and were electrically stimulated for 30 minutes (16 Hz, within tolerable strength). A total of 10 sessions of treatment were performed twice per week for 5 weeks. All participants were requested to maintain their usual diet and lifestyle. The outcome measures were waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and abdominal computed tomography (CT) of the total fat area (TFA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA), and visceral fat area (VFA). Results : A total of 12 participants divided into the insulated needle group (n = 5) and the control group (n = 7; common needle) were treated for 10 sessions and analyzed per-protocol (PP). WC decreased significantly after 10 sessions in both groups. The WC, TFA, SFA, and VFA of abdominal CT in the insulated needle group decreased more than in the control group; however, there were no significant differences in any parameter between the insulated needle group and the control group. Patients in the insulated needle group were more strongly stimulated with electrical stimulation than patients in the control group. Conclusion : Electroacupuncture using insulated needles in adults with abdominal obesity might be a more effective treatment than common needles. Additional studies are required to compensate for the limitations of this pilot study and to verify the results and efficacy.

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