[Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Obesity in Women with Abdominal Obesity]

The Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Physiological Index, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress for Elders With Hypertension

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of auricular acupressure (AA) on physiological index, depression, anxiety, and stress in elderly people with hypertension. The verum group received verum AA therapy for 8 weeks. Five different acupressure sites were applied in each group. There was a significant difference in systolic blood pressure between the 2 groups after 8 weeks of AA, whereas a significant difference in pulse pressure was found between the 2 groups after 6 weeks of AA. This study is meaningful in comparing intervention and sham groups, verifying the effects by using physiological and psychological variables, and confirming the effects of repetitive measurement. AA therapy is expected to be a practical and efficient health care intervention for elderly people with hypertension.

Effects of auriculotherapy on weight and body mass index reduction in patients with overweight or obesity: Systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Auriculotherapy is based on the stimulation of reflex points in the ear. However, little is known about its weight-reducing effects. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of auriculotherapy on weight and/or (BMI) reduction in overweight or patients with obesity.

METHODS

Twelve articles were selected for systematic review. Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating weight reduction and five investigating BMI reduction were selected for the meta-analyzes.

RESULTS

The results revealed an association between auriculotherapy and weight reduction (WMD, 1.507; 95% CI, 0.606-2.407; p < 0.000). Auriculotherapy was also significantly associated with BMI reduction (WMD, 0.865; 95% CI, 0.533-1.196; p < 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that auriculotherapy was effective in reducing weight and/or BMI in overweight or patients with obesity. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to heterogeneity.

Complementary Medicine Therapies That May Assist With Weight Loss: A Narrative Review

Objective

The purpose of this study was to review the potential effects of traditional Chinese medicine-which includes acupuncture; electroacupuncture; plum blossom needle hammer; auricular acupuncture; herbs that balance hormones, regulate neurotransmitters, induce sedative effects, and increase thermogenesis; and functional foods that can suppress the appetite-as an adjunct therapy for weight loss.

Methods

A narrative review of the current literature was performed using searches of MEDLINE and 4 scholarly texts. The inclusion criteria for the review consisted of studies that were performed from 2005 to 2016.

Results

In general, some traditional Chinese medicine modalities claim to promote weight loss. Acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and herbs aim to reduce stress-related food cravings. These therapeutic approaches aim to downregulate dopamine and leptin levels, suppressing the appetite. Other attributes of these therapies are increasing uncoupling protein-1 activity promoting thermogenesis, which contributes to weight loss. In addition, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and Cimicifuga racemosa may regulate estrogen, which could attenuate the appetite, assisting in weight-loss programs.

Conclusion

The literature reviewed includes information that describes how traditional Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, or functional foods as adjunct therapies may be beneficial for weight-loss programs.