Observations on the Efficacy of Syndrome Differentiation and Classification-based Acupuncture and Moxibustion in Treating Simple Obesity

Objective To explore the efficacy,pertinence and practicability of syndrome differentiation-based acupuncture and moxibustion in treating simple obesity.Methods Two hundred and twenty-eight patients were randomly allocated to two groups,a treatment group of 114 cases and a control group of 114 cases. The treatment group was treated by acupuncture at points Zhongwan(CV20),Guanyuan(CV4),Tianshu(ST35),Daimai(GB26),etc. plus sticking cowherb seeds with adhesive plaster on ear points Spleen,Stomach,Sanjiao,Hunger,Thirst and Endocrine. The control group was treated by acupuncture at points Zhongwan(CV20),Guanyuan(CV4),Tianshu(ST35),Daimai(GB26),etc. The therapeutic effects were evaluated at the end of two treatment courses. Results The total efficacy rate was 83.3% in the treatment group and 70.2% in the control group. Statistical analysis showed that the efficacy rate of acupuncture plus auricular plaster therapy was significantly higher than that of simple acupuncture in treating simple obesity (P0.05). A comparison of pre-posttreatment BMI differences between the two groups showed that BMI improved significantly more in the treatment group than in the control group (P0.05). A comparison of the clinical therapeutic effects between different age classes of patients in the two groups showed that it was significantly better in the group below 35 years old than in the group above (P0.05).Conclusion The efficacy rate of acupuncture plus auricular plaster therapy is significantly higher than that of simple acupuncture in treating simple obesity. The therapeutic effect is better in the younger patients than in the older.