Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research (한방비만학회지)

The Society of Korean Medicine for obesity Research (한방비만학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Clinical Research Trends on Electroacupuncture Treatment for Obesity: A Scoping Review

비만 치료에 대한 전침 요법의 임상 연구 동향 분석: 주제범위 문헌고찰

  • Cheol-Won Kim (Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Woo-Chul Shin (Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Hyung-Suk Kim (Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Won-Seok Chung (Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Mi-Yeon Song (Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University) ;
  • Jae-Heung Cho (Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University)
  • 김철원 (경희대학교 대학원 한의과대학 임상한의학과) ;
  • 신우철 (경희대학교 대학원 한의과대학 임상한의학과) ;
  • 김형석 (경희대학교 대학원 한의과대학 임상한의학과) ;
  • 정원석 (경희대학교 대학원 한의과대학 임상한의학과) ;
  • 송미연 (경희대학교 대학원 한의과대학 임상한의학과) ;
  • 조재흥 (경희대학교 대학원 한의과대학 임상한의학과)
  • Received : 2024.11.21
  • Accepted : 2025.02.10
  • Published : 2025.06.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze domestic and international clinical research trends on electroacupuncture treatment for obesity, provide directions for future research, and comprehensive understanding of electroacupuncture therapy used for obesity treatment. Methods: This study is a scoping review, conducted based on five steps suggested by Arksey and O'Malley. After developing 5 research questions, relevant studies were searched using 4 domestic databases and 5 international databases. As a result, 45 studies were finally selected, and data analysis was performed based on these studies. Results: Among the 45 selected studies, 8 studies were case reports, and 37 studies were randomized controlled trial. Electroacupuncture therapy was applied for obesity treatment in all studies, and control groups were often selected in the following order: waiting-list control group, sham acupuncture control group, and diet control group. Most studies used anthropometric measurements as an evaluation method and applied the treatment on the trunk of the patients, such as the back and abdomen. Conclusions: Clinical studies on electroacupuncture for obesity have been consistently studied in recent years, showing that electroacupuncture therapy is effective for obesity treatment, including the difference in therapeutic efficacy, as assessed by the total effective rate, which was found to be statistically significant.

Keywords

References

  1. The Society of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation. Korean rehabilitation medicine. 5th ed. Seoul : Koonja Publishing. 2020.
  2. National Institute for Korean Medicine Development. Clinical practice guideline of Korean medicine for obesity [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Sep 27]. https://nikom.or.kr/nckm/module/practiceGuide/view.do?guide_idx=325&menu_idx=14
  3. Cho SH, Lee JS, Thabane L, Lee J. Acupuncture for obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Obes (Lond). 2009 ; 33(2) : 183-96. https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2008.269
  4. Kang J, Shin WC, Kim KW, Kim S, Kim H, Cho JH, et al. Effects of electroacupuncture on obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 ; 103(2) : e36774. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000036774
  5. Arksey H, O'Malley L. Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework. Int J Soc Res Methodol. 2005 ; 8(1) : 19-32. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616
  6. Seo HJ, Kim SY. What is scoping review? J Health Tech Assess. 2018 ; 6(1) : 16-21. https://doi.org/10.34161/johta.2018.6.1.003
  7. Chung JY, Kim JI, Lee SH, Kang SK. Effects of electroacupuncture on parameters related to obesity in adults with abdominal obesity: three arm randomized single blind pilot study. J Korean Acupunct Moxib Soc. 2010 ; 27(6) : 43-57.
  8. Choi HS, Choi S, Lee YJ. Comparative prospective short-term study on effect of electro-acupuncture on thigh circumference. J Korean Med Obes Res. 2003 ; 3(1) : 61-7.
  9. Hwang DS, Ahn SJ, Lee KS, Kim JS, Kim YS, Shin HT. Effect of electro-acupuncture on regional fat by measuring thigh circumference. J Korean Med Obes Res. 2005 ; 5(1) : 1-8.
  10. Oh SY, Lee H, Yun GW, Kang JH. Efficacy of electroacupuncture using an insulated needle in adults with abdominal obesity: a pilot study. J Acupunct Res. 2017 ; 34(2) : 49-59. https://doi.org/10.13045/acupunct.2017082
  11. Kim JY, Kim SJ, Jeong SH. The effects of ultrasonic lipolysis treatment on obesity compared to electroacupuncture. J Korean Med Rehabil. 2012 ; 22(3) : 141-9.
  12. Song SM, Song YK, Lim HH. The effect of electroacupuncture on abdominal fat deposit and parameters for obesity. J Korean Med Rehabil. 2010 ; 20(2) : 113-27.
  13. Kim JH, Ko YS, Lee JH, Won JK, Shin BC, Kwon YD, et al. Clinical study on waist circumference reduction in obese patients when electroacupuncture were practiced. J Korean Med Rehabil. 2005 ; 15(3) : 1-11.
  14. Lei H, Chen X, Liu S, Chen Z. Effect of electroacupuncture on visceral and hepatic fat in women with abdominal obesity: a randomized controlled study based on magnetic resonance imaging. J Altern Complement Med. 2017 ; 23(4) : 285-94. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2016.0361
  15. Lima IG, Silva JRTD, Silva AGD, Andrade AS, Sousa L. Electroacupuncture reduces weight, skinfold thickness and waist circumference and increases skin temperature of the abdominal region in women: a randomized controlled trial. Acupunct Med. 2022 ; 40(5) : 425-33. https://doi.org/10.1177/09645284221077111
  16. Cabioglu MT, Ergene N, Tan U. Electroacupuncture treatment of obesity with psychological symptoms. Int J Neurosci. 2007 ; 117(5) : 579-90. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207450500535545
  17. Cabioglu MT, Ergene N, Surucu HS, Celik HH, Findik D. Serum IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE levels after electroacupuncture and diet therapy in obese women. Am J Chin Med. 2007 ; 35(6) : 955-65. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X07005429
  18. Cabioğlu MT, Ergene N. Changes in serum leptin and beta endorphin levels with weight loss by electroacupuncture and diet restriction in obesity treatment. Am J Chin Med. 2006 ; 34(1) : 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X06003588
  19. Rerksuppaphol L, Rerksuppaphol S. Efficacy of short duration versus conventional electroacupuncture in the treatment of obesity: a randomized crossover study. J Tradit Chin Med. 2022 ; 42(2) : 256-63.
  20. Hsu CH, Hwang KC, Chao CL, Lin JG, Kao ST, Chou P. Effects of electroacupuncture in reducing weight and waist circumference in obese women: a randomized crossover trial. Int J Obes (Lond). 2005 ; 29(11) : 1379-84. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802997
  21. Lam TF, Lyu Z, Wu X, Wong YP, Cao P, Wong EY, et al. Electro-acupuncture for central obesity: a patientassessor blinded, randomized sham-controlled clinical trial. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2024 ; 24(1) : 62. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04340-5
  22. Schukro RP, Heiserer C, Michalek-Sauberer A, Gleiss A, Sator-Katzenschlager S. The effects of auricular electroacupuncture on obesity in female patients--a prospective randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. Complement Ther Med. 2014 ; 22(1) : 21-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2013.10.002
  23. Lin CH, Lin YM, Liu CF. Electrical acupoint stimulation changes body composition and the meridian systems in postmenopausal women with obesity. Am J Chin Med. 20 10 ; 38(4) : 683-94. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X10008159
  24. Cabioğlu MT, Ergene N. Electroacupuncture therapy for weight loss reduces serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol levels in obese women. Am J Chin Med. 2005 ; 33(4) : 525-33. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X05003132
  25. Kim KW, Shin WC, Choi MS, Cho JH, Park HJ, Yoo HH, et al. Effects of acupuncture on anthropometric and serum metabolic parameters in premenopausal overweight and obese women: a randomized, patient- and assessor-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial. Acupunct Med. 20 21 ; 39(1) : 30 -40 . https://doi.org/10.1177/0964528420912259
  26. Hsu CH, Hwang KC, Chao CL, Chang HH, Chou P. Electroacupuncture in obese women: a randomized, controlled pilot study. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2005 ; 14(5) : 434-40. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2005.14.434
  27. Belivani M, Lundeberg T, Cummings M, Dimitroula C, Belivani N, Vasilakos D, et al. Immediate effect of three different electroacupuncture protocols on fasting blood glucose in obese patients: a pilot study. Acupunct Med. 2015 ; 33(2) : 110-4. https://doi.org/10.1136/acupmed-2014-010662
  28. Liang YL, Wang LL, Xu XK, Wu ZQ, Gao F, Sun XX, et al. Comparison of the effect of low-frequency electroacupuncture on serum leptin and NPY contents of male and female patients with simple obesity. World J Acupunct Moxibustion. 2016 ; 26(4) : 20-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1003-5257(17)30018-1
  29. Lee MS, Kim JH, Lim HJ, Shin BC. Effects of abdominal electroacupuncture on parameters related to obesity in obese women: a pilot study. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2006 ; 12(2) : 97-100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2006.01.002
  30. Wang YL, Cao X, Liu ZC, Xu B. Observation on the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on simple obesity of gastrointestinal heat pattern/syndrome. World J Acupunct Moxibustion. 2013 ; 23(2) : 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1003-5257(13)60035-5
  31. Zhou W, Zhou ZY, Hu F, Tan S, Yu L, Wang J, et al. Clinical comparative study on electroacupuncture and acupoint catgut embedding therapy for treatment of obesity. Liaoning J Tradit Chin Med. 20 20 ; 47(9) : 156-9.
  32. Wu YF, Huang XG, Zhao LH. Observations on the efficacy of electroacupuncture plus weak laser fat dissolution technique in treating female patients with simple obesity and overweight of stomach heat dampness stagnation type. Shanghai J Acu-Mox. 2015 ; 34(9) : 852-5.
  33. Zhu XY, Xu SF. Effects of acupoint catgut embedding therapy versus electroacupuncture therapy on body weight and shape in female obesity patients. Shanghai J AcuMox. 2014 ; 33(7) : 636-7.
  34. Sun J, Lu BH, Zeng ZP, Xie CC, Yi W, Zhao Y, et al. Effect of electroacupuncture plus acupoint thread-embedding on glucose and lipid metabolism in abdominal obesity patients. Shanghai J Acu-Mox. 2013 ; 32(5) : 365-7.
  35. Shi Y, Zhang LS, Zhao C, Zuo XY. Controlled study of needle warming therapy and electroacupuncture on simple obesity of spleen deficiency type. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2005 ; 25(7) : 465-7.
  36. Lei H, Dai W. The influence of electroacupuncture on serum leptin in patient with simple obesity. Shanghai J Acu-Mox. 2003 ; 22(8) : 5-6.
  37. Zheng ZZ, Luo H, You Q. Electroacupuncture combined with nutrition guidance treatment for simple obesity in 30 cases. Fujian J TCM. 2021 ; 52(2) : 51-2.
  38. Sheng J, Jin X, Zhu J. Clinical effects of electroacupuncture on central obesity patients of perimenopausal period. J Zhejiang Chin Med Univ. 2020 ; 44(3) : 307-12.
  39. Dai CG, Chen G, Zhou DP, Li SJ, Zhu WF, Tan FL. Effect of electroacupuncture combined with walking exercise on irisin in male patients with abdominal obesity. J Basic Chin Med. 2020 ; 26(1) : 81-4.
  40. Wang JJ, Huang W, Wei D, Yang TY, Zhou ZY. Comparison of therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture and acupoint catgut embedding in reducing serum leptin and insulin levels in simple obesity patients. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2019 ; 44(1) : 57-61.
  41. Zheng Y, Zhou Z. Therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture combined with diet and exercise on abdominal obesity. Chin J Ethnomed Ethnopharm. 2018 ; 27(6) : 111-3.
  42. Li H, Liu G, Liu NG, Zhang LW, Zhan LY, Shi RX. Clinical observation of the effects of electroacupuncture and electron slimming machine therapy in central obesity patients. Shizhen Guo Yi Guo Yao. 2017 ; 28(4) : 901-3.
  43. Yan L, Liu Z, Yuan J, Xu B. Effects of electroacupuncture on visceral fat in simple obesity with stomach and intestinal heat. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2016 ; 36(9) : 897-900.
  44. Tao S, Ai BW. Clinical study on the effect of electroacupuncture on topical weight loss in simple obesity patients based on the analysis of human body components. Shanghai J Acu-mox. 2015 ; 34(10) : 932-4.
  45. Zhang YL, Xia HQ, Huang A. Observation of the clinical efficacy on 56 cases of simple obesity treated with electroacupuncture. World J Integr Tradit West Med. 2014 ; 9(1) : 74-5.
  46. Xiang QY, Li GA, Shen XH, Hong J. Clinical research on combined electroacupuncture and ear point for simple obesity with impaired glucose regulation. Shanghai J Acu-Mox. 2013 ; 47(5) : 31-3.
  47. Zhao LQ, Shi Y. Electroacupuncture combined with diets and exercises in treatment of simple obesity complicated with excess heat syndrome of stomach and intestine. J Anhui TCM Coll. 2010 ; 29(4) : 33-7.
  48. Chen JH, Zhao LQ. Clinical observations of electroacupuncture of different frequencies on simple obesity. Zhenjiu Linchuang Zazhi. 2009 ; 25(9) : 4-6.
  49. Luo HL, Li RH. Effect of electroacupuncture on leptin and adiponectin in simple obesity patients. Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2007 ; 32(4) : 264-7. 
  50. 50 . Liu YZ, Su SY, Pan QL, Ning FJ, Li JY, Chen DD, et al. Comparison of efficacy of treating obese patients with endocrine-metabolic abnormity by electroacupuncture of different types of wave modes. World J Acupunct Moxibustion. 2014 ; 24(3) : 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1003-5257(15)60001-0
  51. Zhang HY, Qin LH, Wang H. The effect of electroacupuncture stimulation parameters for obese patients and the insulin resistance. Med Innov China. 2012 ; 9(15) : 6-8.