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Electro-acupuncture for Central Obesity

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Central Obesity
Interventions
Other: acupuncture
Registration Number
NCT03815253
Lead Sponsor
Hong Kong Baptist University
Brief Summary

In this study, a 8-week, single blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial will be conducted to examine the efficacy and safety of body acupuncture in the treatment of central obesity in Hong Kong.

Detailed Description

This is a pilot single-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial. 168 central obesity patients will be randomly assigned to acupuncture group or control group. The duration of the treatment will be 8 weeks with 2 session per week and the follow-up period will be 2 weeks.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
168
Inclusion Criteria

Patients who meet all of the following criteria are defined as eligible participants: men and women aged between 18 and 65 years old; BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2; central obesity, defined as WC of ≥ 90 cm in men and ≥ 80 cm in non-pregnant women according to ICD-10 [24]; not receiving any other weight control measures or any medical and/or drug history in last 3months.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients who meet any of the following criteria should be excluded from the study: endocrine diseases, including thyroid disorder, pituitary disorder, sex gland disorder, etc.; heart diseases, including arrhythmia, heart failure, myocardial infarction, patients with pacemaker; allergy and immunology diseases; bleeding tendency; pregnant or lactating women; impaired hepatic or renal function; stroke or unable to exercise.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
sham-acupuncture groupacupunctureAs to the participants allocated to control group, Streitberger's non-invasive acupuncture needles (Gauge 8 x 1.2" / 0.30 x 30 mm) will be applied to act as sham control at the same acupoints with same stimulation modality. However, the needles will be only adhered to the skin instead of insertion. The validity and credibility of this model has been well demonstrated.
Acupuncture groupacupunctureBody electro-acupuncture will be conducted for 2 sessions per week over 8 consecutive weeks. Body electro-acupuncture will choose eight acupoints as Tianshu(ST-25), Daheng(SP-15), Daimai(GB-26), Qihai(CV-6), Zhongwan(CV-12), Zusanli (ST-36), Fenlong(ST-40), Sanyinjiao(SP-6).Disposable acupuncture needles (verum acupuncture needles asia-med Special No. 16 with 0.30 x 0.30mm matching the Streitberger sham-needles) will be inserted at a depth of 10-25 mm into the points. We will also deliver electrical stimulation with dense-disperse waves with 50Hz at 10 volts through electrical acupuncture stimulation instrument (ES-160 6-Channel Programmable Electro-acupuncture) to the abdominal points. The bodily needles will be retained for 30 minutes.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in waist circumference0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, 11, 15,18, 21, 24 weeks

Waist circumference will be measured around the abdomen at the level of the umbilicus (belly button).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in hip circumference0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,15,18, 21, 24 weeks

hip circumference measured at the level of maximum posterior extension of the buttocks

Adverse events after treatment and follow up0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, 15,18, 21, 24 weeks

Adverse events of acupuncture treatment will be assessed using the Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) and would be evaluated during the whole procedure, as well as laboratory tests (whole blood counts, renal and liver functions) if needed. All clinical adverse events will be recorded in terms of intensity (mild, moderate, or severe), duration, outcome and relationship to the study.

Changes in waist-to-hip circumference ratio0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, 15,18, 21, 24 weeks

waist-to-hip ratio is the dimensionless ratio of the circumference of the waist to that of the hips. This is calculated as waist measurement divided by hip measurement ( W ÷ H ).

Changes in Body Mass Index0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, 15,18, 21, 24 weeks

Body Mass Index is a simple calculation using a person's height and weight. The formula is BMI = kg/m2 where kg is a person's weight in kilograms and m2 is their height in metres squared.

Changes in total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and fasting blood glucose (FBG)0, 8 weeks

Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) will be measured before and after the 8-week treatment.

Changes in body fat percentage0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, 15,18, 21, 24 weeks

The body fat percentage (BFP) of a human or other living being is the total mass of fat divided by total body mass, multiplied by 100. Body fat percentage will be measured by Omron Karada Scan HBF-701.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Linda Zhong

🇭🇰

Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong

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