Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity (Nov 2024)
Effect of Acupoint Catgut Embedding on Subjective Appetite in Overweight and Obese Adults with Strong and Moderate Appetite: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial
Abstract
Xin Tang,1,2,* Gaoyangzi Huang,1,2,* Qifu Li,1,2 Siwen Zhao,1,2 Ruqin Yang,1,2 Hongyang Wang,1,2 Yuanzheng Deng,1,2 Zili Liu,2 Taipin Guo,1,2 Fanrong Liang3 1Yunnan Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Chronic Disease in Prevention and Treatment, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Second Clinical Medicine/The Second Affiliated Hospital, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Taipin Guo, School of Second Clinical Medicine/The Second Affiliated Hospital, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, 1076 Yuhua Road, Chenggong District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected] Fanrong Liang, School of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 37 Jinniu District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: Appetite plays a crucial role in obesity and weight loss outcomes. while conventional therapies reduce appetite, They often have limitations. Acupoint Catgut Embedding (ACE) is widely used for weight loss, but its impact on subjective appetite, especially across different appetite status, remains underexplored.Objective: To evaluate the differential impact of ACE on the subjective appetite of overweight and obese adults with strong and moderate appetites.Methods: This secondary analysis used data from a multicenter, double-blind, parallel randomized clinical trial of the ACE intervention. A total of 122 overweight and obese patients aged 18– 60 were randomly assigned to the ACE and Non-acupoint Catgut Embedding (NACE) groups, each receiving six sessions over 12 weeks and a 4-week follow-up. Appetite was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and a generalized linear mixed-effects model assessed changes in appetite scores. Bonferroni corrections were applied for multiple comparisons (P 0.05). The significant baseline difference in appetite scores between participants with strong and moderate appetite (P 0.05).Conclusion: This study reveals the stratified effect of ACE on appetite, with greater reduction in those with strong appetite and no significant change in those with moderate appetite. This suggests ACE reduces appetite effectively without excessive suppression, supporting its potential as a sustainable obesity management strategy.Keywords: acupoint catgut embedding, appetite, overweight, obesity, randomized controlled trial