Mixed
Auricular acupoint stimulation (ear acupuncture or acupressure) significantly reduces body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, and waist circumference in overweight and obese adults compared to placebo or no intervention.
If you are overweight or obese, auricular acupoint stimulation (using needles, seeds, or electrical stimulation on specific ear points) can help you lose a small amount of weight (about 1.2 kg on average) and reduce body fat and waist size. It works best when combined with standard lifestyle changes and requires a treatment duration of at least 6 weeks for optimal results on waist circumference.
This meta-analysis shows that auricular acupoint stimulation improves physical anthropometric parameters including BW, BMI, BF, and WC in overweight and obese adults.
Why this rating
Meta-analysis of 13 RCTs, but with high heterogeneity (I2=78-88%) and potential publication bias.
Source
The Effect of Auricular Acupoint Stimulation in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Tzu‐Lin Yeh et al. · Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine · 2017
DOI 10.1155/2017/3080547
More from this paper
- Auricular acupoint stimulation does not significantly reduce hip circumference or waist-to-hip ratio in overweight and obese adults.Moderate
- Auricular acupoint stimulation treatments lasting 6 weeks or longer are more effective for reducing hip circumference than treatments shorter than 6 weeks.Moderate
Related findings · Mixed
- Bariatric surgery (VSG and RYGB) is the most effective and sustainable treatment for obesity, producing marked and sustained weight loss that non-surgical interventions cannot match.Strong
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- For patients with Class III obesity (BMI >39.9 kg/m2), metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is significantly more effective than any currently approved medication, with BilioPancreatic Diversion (BPD) showing the highest estimated weight loss.Strong
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