Abstract
Acupoint catgut embedding is a useful therapy for weight management and widely applied in China. This review aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of acupoint catgut embedding on abdominal obesity. We searched the PubMed, Cochrane-Library, Embase, OVID, MEDLINE, ISI (web of science), Wanfang, VIP, CBM, and CNKI for randomized controlled trials that used acupoint catgut embedding to treat abdominal obesity before April 2019 with the language restriction of Chinese and English. The combination subject terms of abdominal obesity (or central obesity) and acupoint catgut embedding (or catgut implantation, catgut embedding) were used. We found 15 studies involving 1584 individuals. When acupoint catgut embedding plus electroacupuncture is compared with electroacupuncture alone, significant reductions in improvement rate (RR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.99~1.08), body weight (MD = 5.20, 95%CI = 1.16~9.25), body mass index (MD = 1.73, 95%CI = 0.70~2.76), waist circumference (MD = 2.91, 95%CI = 1.36~4.46), and hip circumference (MD = 1.06, 95%CI = -0.18~2.30) were found. Mean values of body weight by acupoint catgut embedding were 1.35 kg compared with electroacupuncture. Less adverse events were reported in all included articles. In summary, pooled outcomes of acupoint catgut embedding presented a tendency of equal effects to other kinds of acupuncture, whereas acupoint catgut embedding plus electroacupuncture is more effective for abdominal obesity. This study is registered with PROSPERO 2017 (CRD42017082357).
Highlights
Obesity is an increasingly prevalent health problem that is related to various diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases [1]
Many studies have been performed to prove the strong associations between abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome which is linked to diabetes and metabolic syndrome [5, 6]
Salehinia et al have assessed the relationship between abdominal obesity and a higher risk of incident diabetes successfully [7]
Summary
Obesity is an increasingly prevalent health problem that is related to various diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases [1]. A special kind of obesity, was considered to be more associated with the disease compared with non-abdominal obesity [2]. It is usually manifested as extravagant abdominal fat around the stomach and abdomen leads to a negative influence on health. Many studies have been performed to prove the strong associations between abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome which is linked to diabetes and metabolic syndrome [5, 6]. Salehinia et al have assessed the relationship between abdominal obesity and a higher risk of incident diabetes successfully [7]. The strong correlation between abdominal obesity and cardiovascular disease has been proved. It has been seen that people with abdominal obesity have a high risk of metabolic syndrome [5]
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