Abstract
Abstract
Background:
It has been shown that acupuncture and psychotherapy may be effective for weight loss.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficiency of acupuncture and psychotherapy in a comprehensive program for weight loss.
Design, Setting, and Participants:
A total of 105 adult overweight women with average body mass index (BMI) of 33.9 (SD, 4.98) were examined with body impedance analysis method. The study was conducted from January 2008 to December 2009.
Intervention:
The women were divided into 2 groups. The control group (n = 35 women) accepted the dietitian's recommendations regarding diet and physical activity and were under medical observation during the next 2 months. In addition, 70 women received acupuncture (10 sessions) and psychotherapy (5 sessions).
Main Outcome Measures:
BMI and bioimpedance analysis of human body composition included total body water, intracellular and extracellular water, fat mass, fat-free mass, muscle mass (kg %), and basal metabolic rate (kcal/d).
Results:
The weight loss in the intervention group was significantly higher than in the control group: mean (SD), 6.6 (4.06) kg vs 2.4 (1.17) kg (P < .001). The difference between groups in average fat mass and total body water (as % of body weight) was also significant (P < .05) in favor of the intervention group. BMI, fat mass, and total body water were not significantly different.
Conclusions:
Acupuncture may increase the efficiency of a weight loss program. Psychotherapy may help create motivation for diet perseverance and help develop adequate eating habits in patients.
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