The Effects of Auricular Acupressure in Children's Obesity

이침요법(耳鍼療法)이 아동의 비만도(肥滿度)에 미치는 효과(效果)

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Auricular acupressure with semen sinapis in obese children over a specific period of time. Methods : The study subjects included 27 obese children who were evaluated as such using Broca's Index at an elementary school located in M city. The data was collected throughout March 2, to May 31, 2005. In order to collect data, as a pre-test, characteristics of obesity and general characteristics were examined. Experimental treatments were used on Shinmun, Kijeom, Wijeom, Bijeom and Naebunbijeom. Among the auricular spots, one pill of semen sinapis was placed and pressed for five seconds at a time with exerted force and the subjects endured pain. This procedure was conducted ten tunes every morning, noon and evening for a period of six weeks. As a post-test, the degree of obesity were examined two weeks, four weeks and six weeks after acupressure had been applied. The data was collected and analysed using the SPSS/WIN 10.0 program by number, percentage, mean standard deviation, and Repeated Measure ANOVA. Result : The first hypothesis that 'The obesity of the children who had auricular acupressure with semen sinapis will show no difference over time' (two weeks, four weeks and six weeks after acupressure had been applied) was rejected(p=.000). A statistically significant difference in the obesity of the children who had auricular acupressure with semen sinapis was shown over time. The children's obesity degree reduced from 35.85% before auricular acupressure with semen sinapis to 28.67% six weeks after acupressure. Thus after six weeks of acupressure the relative degrees of obesity were reduced by 7.18%. Conclusion : Bases on the above results, it can be determined that auricular acupressure with semen sinapis can be used as an effective method of treatment in Korea, for reducing degrees of obesity in children.