Abstract
Background: Auricular acupuncture has been identified as a possible method for modulating appetite and suggested as a cost-effective adjunct to current treatments for obesity. Objective: To investigate changes in reported feelings of hunger and satiety after auricular acupuncture. Design and Patients: Randomized, controlled, pilot study of 40 participants randomized to fasted control and intervention groups (n = 20 per group). Intervention: A 5-point (Hypothalamus, Hunger, Stomach, Point Zero, and Shenmen) unilateral auricular acupuncture procedure was applied to the intervention group, with needles left in place for 15 minutes. Control participants received equal time but no active intervention. Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported feelings of hunger and satiety using a hunger visual analog scale (VAS). Results: At 30 minutes following treatment, differences were observed on 3/5 of the questions in the hunger VAS. Compared with controls, the test group showed a decrease in appetite although it did not reach statistical significance, with the idea of eating becoming less pleasant. No further differences between the groups were observed. Conclusions: Auricular acupuncture may reduce feelings of hunger and increase satiety. These results suggest that larger studies of acupuncture and appetite are warranted.
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