Thread Embedding Acupuncture Combined With Auricular Acupuncture for Overweight and Obesity

Summary

Overweight and obesity are chronic non-communicable diseases with a rapidly increasing global prevalence. They constitute risk factors for various chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cancer, as well as musculoskeletal disorders and numerous other disorders, significantly impacting the quality of life.

Numerous non-pharmacological interventions have been employed in the management of these conditions. Particularly, Auricular acupuncture (AA) has been a widely used and established method for weight management, owing to its effectiveness, safety, and convenience. Recently, a novel therapy known as Thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) has also demonstrated efficacy in weight reduction. Several studies have shown a substantial increase in treatment effectiveness when combining TEA with other acupuncture therapies. However, there is currently no available data on the combination of TEA with AA.

This study is conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of combining TEA with AA compared with AA monotherapy in overweight and obesity.

Conditions

• Overweight or Obesity

Interventions

OTHER

Auricular acupuncture

Auricular acupuncture is conducted weekly in eight weeks using patches, each with a square shape and a side length of 10 mm, along with sterilized needles measuring 0.25 x 1.3 mm. Five acupoints on one ear are selected, which included Shen-men (TF4), Stomach (CO4), Spleen (CO13), Endocrine (CO18), and Hunger point. The patch with the needle will remain in place for one week.

OTHER

Thread embedding acupuncture

Thread embedding acupuncture is performed every two weeks in eight weeks using a single Polydioxaone thread. Needles has a gauge size of 29G, a shaft length of 38mm, and a thread length of 50mm, folded in half, and are applied to ten acupoints, including Qihai (CV6), Shuifen (CV9), and Tianshu (ST25), Shuidao (ST28), Daheng (SP15), Siman (KI14) on both sides of the body. Needles with a gauge size of 30G, a shaft length of 25mm, and a thread length of 30mm, folded in half, are used for five acupoints, which included Zhongwan (CV12) and Zusanli (ST36), Pishu (BL20) on both sides of the body. After the thread being inserted into the body, the needle will be withdrawn immediately.

OTHER

Sham Thread embedding acupuncture

Sham Thread embedding acupuncture is performed every two weeks in eight weeks. Needles without threads has a gauge size of 29G, and a shaft length of 38mm, are applied to ten acupoints, including Qihai (CV6), Shuifen (CV9), and Tianshu (ST25), Shuidao (ST28), Daheng (SP15), Siman (KI14) on both sides of the body. Needles without threads with a gauge size of 30G, and a shaft length of 25mm, are used for five acupoints, which included Zhongwan (CV12) and Zusanli (ST36), Pishu (BL20) on both sides of the body. After the needle being inserted into the body, it will be withdrawn immediately.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-10-30

Primary Completion

2024-03-21

Completion

2024-03-21

Countries

• Vietnam

Study Locations