None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Obesity is a major health concern of epidemic proportions, with acupuncture being used and investigated as a potential treatment modality. Elevated eating, weight and shape concerns potentially have deleterious effects on mental health. To date few acupuncture studies have evaluated the effect of a weight loss program on the mental health of obese/overweight participants in a trial and none have looked at eating, weight and shape concerns. Objectives: To investigate the effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture on the mental and physical health of individuals undertaking a weight loss program, with particular reference to individuals who have eating concerns (undue influence of weight or shape on self-evaluation). Methods: Thirty five consenting overweight/obese males and females participated in a single blinded randomised cross-over study. The two intervention phases were i) nutritional counselling plus TCM acupuncture and ii) nutritional counselling plus sham acupuncture. Outcome measures: The outcome measures were the EDI-3 Eating Disorder Risk Composite (EDRC), the Becks Depression Inventory (BDI-2), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the SF-36v2 Health Survey (physical and mental quality of life) and body weight change. Results: There were no significant beneficial effects on the mental health of participants during the acupuncture or sham acupuncture phase. However when certain components of outcome measures were analysed, significant improvements were observed for overweight females with eating concerns during the acupuncture phase compared to the sham phase. These were STAI State (p= 0.004) and Trait anxiety (p= 0.04), BDI-2 depression (p= 0.04) and the mental aspect of the SF-36 Health survey (QoL) (p= 0.0001). Conclusion: TCM acupuncture was found to have beneficial effects on the mental health of overweight women with elevated eating and weight concerns. Further research is needed as these individuals are at greater risk for pathological eating issues and psychological distress.
Interventions
a single blinded randomised cross over design study was used
The intervention phases was;
a) Nutritional counselling plus Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) acupuncture
The treatment phase was six weeks in duration with each participant receiving weekly nutritional counselling and twice weekly acupuncture (either sham or TCM acupuncture). There was a two week wash-out period between the two treatment phases.
Treatment
Nutritional Counselling: Participants were provided with weekly lifesty
a single blinded randomised cross over design study was used The intervention phases was; a) Nutritional counselling plus Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) acupuncture The treatment phase was six weeks in duration with each participant receiving weekly nutritional counselling and twice weekly acupuncture (either sham or TCM acupuncture). There was a two week wash-out period between the two treatment phases. Treatment Nutritional Counselling: Participants were provided with weekly lifestyle counselling during both phases of treatment. Nutritional counselling was provided by final year undergraduate nutrition students at the Victoria University nutrition teaching clinic in Melbourne, Australia. The nutrition teaching clinic was supervised by an experienced dietician and nutritionist. The treatment provided was structured in such a way that participants were encouraged to follow the Dietary guidelines for Australians. This entailed prescribing a moderate carbohydrate (approximately 55% total energy), low fat (approximately 25-30%) and moderate protein (approximately 15-20%) diet. All treatment providers for the nutritional counselling were blind to the type of acupuncture the participants were receiving. Acupuncture: TCM style manual acupuncture was used in the study. Point selection was based on a list of points previously reported as being effective in weight loss and mental health. Electro-acupuncture has been shown to be effective in recent weight loss studies however its unknown effect on mental health and in particular, eating and weight concerns, excluded its use in this study. All participants received needling at the same prescribed acupoints at each acupuncture session; Bilateral Hegu (LI 4), Quchi (LI 11), Zusanli (ST 36), Neiting (ST 44), Taichong (LR 3). All acupoints were located according to A Manual of Acupuncture (Deadman, et al., 1998). In addition three auricular acupoints were unilaterally needled on one ear; Unilateral Hungry, Stomach and Shen Men with the side being alternated every succeeding treatment. The treatment was administered by one of the researchers (SF), an experienced acupuncture practitioner of eight years. Needling depth varied between 0.5 to 1.5 cm for sites across the body (both TCM acupuncture and sham) and was dependent on the thickness of the skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue. Single use sterilised needles (AcuGlide brand, 40 mm (0.20 or 0.25mm diameter) were used for the body acupuncture and 10 mm (0.16mm diameter) for the auricular acupuncture. Following insertion, halfway during the treatment and just prior to the needles being removed, the needles were manipulated using a gentle lift/thrust and rotation which has a homeostatic/supplementing effect. The needles were retained in situ for 30 minutes after which they were removed. To conceal the TCM acupuncture from the sham, vigorous needle manipulation was not employed. The sensation of de qi was not specifically elicited. No other interventions were co-administered. A small number of participants (less than 10 percent) reported slight pain on needle insertion and mild bruising following acupuncture.
Sponsors
Victoria Univeristy
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Crossover
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria included: a BMI of 25 to 40 at enrollment of the study (all participants’ commenced treatment within four weeks of enrolling); stable body weight three months prior to enrolling in the study and the ability to give written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
Participants were excluded if they were: less than 18 years of age; seeking other weight loss treatment outside the study; diagnosed with a serious concomitant illness such as heart disease or endocrine disease; pregnant or had given birth within the last six months; diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or provided with medical treatment that may have had nutritional implications on weight or appetite or their ability to comply with the study.
Outcome results
None listed