This review published in 2009 (Cho et al) reviewed 29 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared acupuncture with a control group receiving no treatment, a placebo, pharmacological treatment, or non-pharmacological interventions. RCTs were only included if statistical heterogeneity was not observed. Acupuncture was analyzed to be favored to lifestyle modifications like dieting and exercising, as well as to placebo or sham treatment, and groups receiving no treatment. Improvement to the risk rates for a remission of obesity was also observed when acupuncture was used with diet than to when diet was used alone. Publication bias was identified. Minimal adverse effects were observed including redness, pain or discomfort, and bleeding in ears in an auricular acupuncture group. Bruising and abdominal discomfort after electroacupuncture was reported. This review concludes that acupuncture for obesity has some beneficial effect although there was insufficient data available with acceptable methodological quality and narrowed clinical heterogeneity. As a result, the study placed limited value on its findings and cannot conclusively answer if acupuncture should be widely recommended and which form of acupuncture is most effective.
Reference
Cho S.H., Lee J.S., Thabane L., Lee J. (2009). Acupuncture for obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Obesity, 33, 183-196. http://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2008.269