Research

ANXIETY

•     According to a study on 55 participants by Want and Kain entitled “Auricular acupuncture: a potential treatment for anxiety” published in Anesth Analg 2001 Feb;92(2):548-53 the authors concluded that auricular acupuncture at the “relaxation” point can decrease the anxiety level in a population of healthy volunteers.

•    According to a study by Lo and Chung entitled “The sedative effect of acupuncture” published in Am J Chin Med 1979 Autumn;7(3):253-8 it was found that out of 8 patients with anxiety neurosis who were treated with acupuncture 6 of them showed good to moderate response while 2 had no change.

•    In a study by Paraskeva et al entitled “Needling of the extra 1 point decreases BIS values and preoperative anxiety” published in Am J Chin Med 2004;32(5):789-94 in which 50 patients were randomly assigned to receive acupuncture at the extra 1 point or to a control point, it was found that needling of the extra1 point preoperatively significantly decreased the BIS (Bispectral Index) values and the VSS (verbal score scale) for anxiety but needling the control point decreased only VSS values.

•    An open prepost clinical trial study conducted by Spence DW et al entitled “Acupuncture increases nocturnal melatonin secretion and reduces insomnia and anxiety: a preliminary report” and published in J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2004 Winter;16(1)19-28 studied the response to acupuncture of 18 anxious adult subjects who complained of insomnia.  The study found that acupuncture treatment may be of value for some categories of anxious patients with insomnia.

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

•    A study published in the J Altern Complement Med, 1999 Feb;5(1):5-26 by Branco and Naeser entitled “Carpal tunnel syndrome: clinical outcome after low-level laser acupuncture, microamps transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and other alternative therapies — an open protocol study” found that post treatment carpal tunnel syndrome pain was significantly reduced, and 33 of 36 hands had no pain or else pain had been reduced by more than 50%.  In follow-up after 1-2 years, in cases where the age was less than age 60, in only 2 of 23 hands had pain returned, but these were successfully re-treated within a few weeks.

CYSTITIS

•    The results of a study (in Norwegian) in Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 1998 Mar 30;118(9):1370-2 by Aune et al entitled “Can acupuncture prevent cystitis in women?” concluded that acupuncture seems a worthwhile alternative in the prevention of frequently recurring cystitis in women.

DEPRESSION

•    In a single-blind placebo-controlled study by Roschke et al entitled “The benefit from whole body acupuncture in major depression” published in J Affect Disord. 2000 Jan-Mar;57(1-3):73-81 seventy inpatients with a major depressive episode were randomly included in 3 different treatment groups: verum acupuncture, placebo acupuncture and a control group.  All three groups were pharmacologically treated with the antidepressant mianserin. Patients who experienced acupuncture improved slightly more than patients treated with mianserin along.  Additionally applied acupuncture improved the course of depression more than pharmacological treatment with mianserin alone.  However, they could not detect any differences between placebo and verum acupuncture.

•    In a clinical trial by MacPherson et al entitled “Acupuncture for depression: first steps toward a clinical evaluation” published in J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Dec;10(6):1083-91 ten patients received up to 10 individualized acupuncture treatments from one of two acupuncturists.  In the case series, only 6 patients both received treatment and completed 10-week questionnaires; however, significant improvements between before and after were found in their levels of depression.  Many facts, as well as acupuncture, may have contributed to these improvements.  No serious adverse events occurred.

•    In a study by Han, Li and Luo in Chinese entitled “Comparative study of electro-acupuncture and maprotiline in treating depression” published in Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi 2002 Jul;22(7):512-4, 521 it was found that both electro-acupuncture and maprotiline are effective in treating depression.

•     In a study by Han, Li, Luo and Zhao entitled “Clinical study on electro-acupuncture treatment for 30 cases of mental depression” published in J Tradit Chin Med 2004 Sep;24(3):172-6 it was concluded that electro-acupuncture therapy can produce the same clinical therapeutic effect as that produced by the drug maprotiline, giving less side effects and better symptomatic improvement.

•    According to two consecutive clinical studies by Luo et al entitled “Clinical research on the therapeutic effect of the electro-acupuncture treatment in patients with depression” published in Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 1998 Dec;52 Suppl:S338-40 if was found that the results from both studies showed that the therapeutic efficacy of electro-acupuncture was equal to that of amitriptyline for depressive disorders.  Electro-acupuncture had a better therapeutic effect for anxiety somatization and cognitive process disturbance of depressed patients than amitriptyline.  Moreover the side effects of electroacupuncture were much less that than of amitriptyline.  The article suggested that electro-acupuncture treatment was an effective therapeutic method for depressive disorders.  Particularly, it was a treatment of choice for depressed patients who were unable to comply with the classic tricyclic antidepressants because of their anticholinergic side effects.

•    In a three year study of three case histories by Kurland entitled “ECT and Acu-EST in the treatment of depression” published in Am J Chin Med 1976 Autumn;4(3):289-92 it was found that individual Acu-EST (Acupuncture Electric Stimulation Therapy) treatments were often less effective than individual ECT (electroconvulsive therapy).  However, series of Acu-EST did assist in producing significant remissions in depressive symptomatology.  Because it did not produce the temporary disabling memory defects which occurred with ECT, Acu-EST was more easily adaptable to outpatient treatment.

•    In a study on the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment on 167 patients with depression associated with manic-depressive psychosis and schizophrenia by Poliakov in Russian entitled “Acupuncture in the treatment of patients with endogenous depression” published in Zh Nevropatol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 1987;87(4):604-8 acupuncture was found to be effective in some patients showing resistance to antidepressants.

•    In a study by Manber et al entitled “Acupuncture: a promising treatment for depression during pregnancy” published in J Affect Disord. 2004 Nov 15;83(1):89-95 sixty-one pregnant women with major depressive disorder were assigned to one of three treatments: an active acupuncture group, an active control acupuncture group or a massage group.  Response rates at the end of the acute phase were statistically significantly higher for the active acupuncture group (69%) than for the massage group (32%) with an intermediate active control acupuncture response rate of 47%.  The active acupuncture group also exhibited significantly higher average rate of reduction in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores from baseline to the end of the first month of treatment than the massage group.  The authors concluded that acupuncture holds promise for the treatment of depression during pregnancy.

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

•    A placebo-controlled, randomized, modified double-blind study on 43 patients with minor depression and 13 patients with generalized anxiety disorders by Eich et al in German entitled “Acupuncture in patients with minor depressive episodes and generalized anxiety. Results of an experimental study” published in Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr 2000 Mar;68(3):137-44 indicated that needle acupuncture (Du.20, Ex.6, He.7, Pe.6 Bl.62) leads to a significant clinical improvement as well as to a remarkable reduction in anxiety symptoms in patients with minor depression or with generalized anxiety disorders.

DYSMENORRHEA

•    The results of a study published in Gynakol Geburtshilfliche Rundsch. 2003;43(4):250-3 by Habek et al entitled “Efficacy of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea” concluded that the success rate of acupuncture for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea symptoms within 1 year after the acupuncture treatment is 93.3% compared with 3.7% in the placebo group.

•    The results of a study published in Obstet Gynecol. 1987 Jan;69(1):51-6 by Helms entitled “Acupuncture for the management of primary dysmenorrhea” found that in the Real Acupuncture group 90.9% of the women showed improvement; in the Placebo Acupuncture group, 36.4%  and in the Standard Control group 18.2%.  There was a 41% reduction of analgesic medication used by the women in the Real Acupuncture group after their treatment series, and no change or increased use of medication seen in the other groups.

•    The results of a study published in Croatian in Jugosl Ginekol Opstet. 1984 Sept-Dec;24(5-6):104-6 by Maric entitled “Use of acupuncture in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea” concluded that a relief of dysmenorrheic pain was already evidenced after the first menstruation.  One year after the completed therapy there was a full disappearance of dysmenorrheic pain in 93% of the cases and a partial one in 7% of the cases.

•    The results of a study published in Bulgarian in Akush Ginekol (Sofia). 1996;35(3):24-5 by Tsenov entitled “The effect of acupuncture in dysmenorrhea” found that the effect of acupuncture treatment on dysmenorrhea depends on its kind –primary dysmenorrhea is influenced very well, while secondary dysmenorrhea is influenced satisfactorily.

HEADACHE AND MIGRAINE

•    A study done by Vickers et al entitled “Acupuncture for chronic headache in primary care: large, pragmatic, randomised trial” published in the British Medical Journal2004 Mar 27;328(7442):744 concluded that acupuncture leads to persisting, clinically relevant benefits for primary care patients with chronic headache, particularly migraine. Expansion of NHS (National Health Service) acupuncture services should be considered.

•    The results of a study published in Neurol Sci 2003 May;24 Suppl 2:S138-42 by Allais et al entitled “Non-pharmacological approaches to chronic headaches: transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, lasertherapy and acupuncture in transformed migraine treatment” found that TENS, lasertherapy and acupuncture proved to be effective in reducing the frequency of headache attacks.  Acupuncture showed the best effectiveness over time.

•     The results of a study published in Scand J Dent Res 1979 Oct; 87(5):373-80 by Jensen et al entitled “Effect of acupuncture on headache measured by reduction in number of attacks and use of drugs” concluded that acupuncture is a relevant therapy for headache with a definite symptomatic effect.

•    The results of a study published in J Intern Med 1994 May;235(5):451-6 by Hesse et al entitled “Acupuncture versus metoprolol in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized trial of trigger point inactivation” concluded that trigger point inactivation by dry needling (acupuncture) is a valuable supplement to the list of migraine prophylactic tools, being equipotent to metoprolol in the influence on frequency and duration (but not severity) of attacks, and superior in terms of negative side-effects.

•    The results of a study published in Headache 2002 Oct;42(9):855-61 by Allais et al entitled “Acupuncture in the prophylactic treatment of migraine without aura: a comparison with flunarizine” concluded that acupuncture proved to be adequate for migraine prophylaxis.  Relative to flunarizine, acupuncture treatment exhibited greater effectiveness in the first months of therapy and superior tolerability.

•    The results of a controlled trial conducted on 20 patients suffering from chronic migraine published in Clin J Pain 1989 Dec;5(4):305-12 by Vincent CA entitled “A controlled trial of the treatment of migraine by acupuncture” concluded that true acupuncture was significantly more effective than the control procedure in reducing the pain of migraine headache.  Post treatment reductions in pain scores and medication of 43% and 38% respectively, were recorded in the true acupuncture group; and were maintained at 4-month and 1-year follow-up.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

•    A study published in the J Tradit Chin Med 1996;16: 273-4 reported that it was found that acupuncture treatment and nifedipine (an antihypertensive medication) were equally effective in reducing blood pressure in 62 patients with hypertension. These positive results are supported by other controlled trials.

•    According to a study published in Russian in Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult 1991 Jan-Feb, (l):29-32 by Bobkova et al entitled “The effect of acupuncture on endocrine regulation in hypertensive patients” it was shown that acupuncture-related decline of arterial pressure occurs in participation of pituitary and adrenal hormones as well as the polypeptides beta-endorphine and neurotensin.

•    According to a study published in Russian in Ter Arkh 1985:57(10): 42-5 by Anshelevich et al entitled “Serum aldosterone level in patients with hypertension during treatment by acupuncture” it was concluded that acupuncture resulted in a hypoaldosteronemic effect which showed statistically significant correlation with a decrease in the arterial blood pressure. The results obtained made it possible to regard the effect of acupuncture as one of the most significant mechanisms of its therapeutic action in hypertension.

•    A study published in Am J Chin Med 1989;17(3-4):111-7 by Radzievsky et al entitled “Function of myocardial contraction and relaxation in essential hypertension in dynamics of acupuncture therapy” showed that as a result of acupuncture a stable hypotensive effect, improvement or normalization of contractile function and diastolic values, a decrease of energy loss and reversal of myocardial hypertrophy were achieved. It is the decrease of sympathetic influences on the circulation system that plays an important part in the onset of these positive changes.

•    According to a study reported in the Journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society 05/31 /1994; V.XII N.I; p.63 the clinical picture improved in 96% of those patients with hypertension who were treated with acupuncture. Acupuncture decreased pathological symptoms in patients with Stage I and II hypertension by 60% + or -15% on average when compared with the Initial level. This was accompanied by a 75% + or – 3.1% decrease in the use of drugs.

INCONTINENCE

•     The results of a study published in Int J Urol 2002 Dec;9(12):672-6 by Honjo et al entitled “Treatment of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis by acupuncture.  A preliminary study.” concluded that acupuncture may be beneficial in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis by increasing nocturnal bladder capacity; and provide a promising alternative to conventional therapies for monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis.

•     The results of a study (in Japanese) published in Nippon Hinyokika Gakkai Zasshi 1998 Jul;89(7):665-9 by Honjo et al entitled “Acupuncture for urinary incontinence in patients with chronic spinal cord injury. A preliminary report” concluded that acupuncture could be a promising alternative for conventional therapies for urinary incontinence caused by detrusor hyperreflexia in patients with chronic spinal cord injuries.

•    The results of a study published in Neurologija 1990;39(3):179-84 by Roje-Starcevic entitled “The treatment of nocturnal enuresis by acupuncture” confirmed that acupuncture represents a new possibility of treatment of patients with enuresis.

INFERTILITY

•    The results of a study published in Asian J Androl 2003 Dec;5(4):345-8 by Gurfinkel et al entitled “Effects of acupuncture and moxa treatment in patients with semen abnormalities” concluded that the Chinese Traditional Medicine acupuncture and moxa techniques significantly increased the percentage of normal-form sperm in infertile patients with oligoastenoteratozoospermia without apparent cause.

•    A study published in J Huazhong Unjiv Sci Technolog Med Sci 2002;22(3):228-30 by Zhang et al entitled “Influence of acupuncture on idiopathic male infertility in assisted reproductive technology” found that acupuncture can improve semen quality and fertilization rates in assisted reproductive technology.

•    The results of a study published in Andrologia 2000 Jan;32(1):31-9 by Siterman et al entitled “Does acupuncture treatment affect sperm density in males with very low sperm count: A pilot study.” concluded that acupuncture may be a useful, nontraumatic treatment for males with very poor sperm density, especially those with a history of genital tract inflammation.

•    A study published in Arch Androl 1997 Sep-Oct;39(2):155-61 by Siterman et al entitled “Effect of acupuncture on sperm parameters of males suffering from subfertility related to low sperm quality” found that patients exhibiting low fertility potential due to reduced sperm activity may benefit from acupuncture treatment.

•    The results of a study published in J Tradit Chin Med 1993 Jun;13(2):115-9 by Mo et al entitled “Clinical studies on the mechanism for acupuncture stimulation of ovulation” found that acupuncture may adjust endocrine function of the generative and physiologic axis of women, thus stimulating ovulation.  The results of this research will provide some scientific basis for treating and further studying this disorder.

•    The results of a study published in Gynecol Endocrinol 1992 Sep;6(3):171-81 by Gerhand and Postneek entitled “Auricular acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility” found that auricular acupuncture seems to offer a valuable alternative therapy for female infertility due to hormone disorders.

INSOMNIA

•    A study conducted by Phillips and Skelton entitled “Effects of individualized acupuncture on sleep quality in HIV disease” was published in J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care in 2001 Jan-Feb;2(1):27-39.  Participating in the study were 21 HIV-infected men and women between the ages of 29 and 50 years who reported sleep disturbance three or more times per week and who scored greater than 5 on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.  Acupuncture was individualized to address insomnia and other symptoms reported by the participants.  Sleep activity and sleep quality significantly improved following 5 weeks of individualized acupuncture delivered in a group setting.

•    A study conducted by Montakab (article in German) entitled “Acupuncture and insomnia” and published in Forsch Komplementarmed. 1999 Feb;6 Suppl 1:29-31 involved 40 patients with primary difficulties in either falling asleep or remaining asleep were diagnosed according to traditional Chinese medicine, allocated to specific diagnostic subgroups and treated individually by a practitioner in his private practice.  The patients were randomized into t3wo groups, one receiving true acupnctu4e, the other needled at non-acupuncture points for 3-5 sessions at weekly intervals..  Based on the results of this study it was concluded that true and individualized acupuncture indeed shows efficacy in primary sleep disorders.  However, a direct influence by the therapist cannot be excluded.

•    An open prepost clinical trial study conducted by Spence DW et al entitled “Acupuncture increases nocturnal melatonin secretion and reduces insomnia and anxiety: a preliminary report” and published in J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2004 Winter;16(1)19-28 studied the response to acupuncture of 18 anxious adult subjects who complained of insomnia.  The study found that acupuncture treatment may be of value for some categories of anxious patients with insomnia.

•    A systematic review conducted by Sok SR et al entitled “Effects of acupuncture therapy on insomnia” and published in J Adv Nurs 2003 Nov;44(4):375-84 concluded that acupuncture may an an effective intervention for the relief of insomnia.  Further research, using a randomized clinical trial design, is necessary to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture.

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

•    There was a pilot study presented at the British Medical Acupuncture Society on 24th April 1999 which found that patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome who were treated with acupuncture for four weeks showed significant improvement in their general well being and a decrease in bloating along with pain reduction.

•    According to a study published in Hepatogastroenterology, 1997 Sep-Oct; 44 (IT): 1328-30  by Chan et al entitled “The role of acupuncture in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a pilot study” it was concluded that acupuncture seems to be effective in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and merits further study.

LOW BACK PAIN

•    A study of 50 patients with chronic low back pain receiving acupuncture published in Clin J Pain 2001 Dec;17(4):296-305  by Carlsson CP and Sjolund BH entitled “Acupuncture for chronic low back pain: a randomized placebo-controlled study with long-term follow up” found a long-term pain-relieving effect of needle acupuncture compared with true placebo in some patients with chronic nocieptive low back pain.

•    The results of a study entitled “Acupuncture contra antiphlogistics in acute lumbago” published in Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen (In Norwegian) 2001 Apr 20;121(10):1207-10 done by Kittang G, Melvaer T and Baerheim A. found that patients receiving acupuncture for acute low back pain used significantly less analgesic drugs during the first week after the start of treatment than those receiving naproxen.  Patients receiving acupuncture also reported fewer new episodes of low back pain during the 6 + 12 month follow-up.  Side effects were frequent in the naproxen group, especially gastro-enteric side effects.  The authors concluded that standardized acupuncture treatment seems to be safe and effective in the treatment of acute low back pain in general practice.

•    In a study done by Washio M, Takasugi S and Arai Y published in Japanese in Nippon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi entitled “Effects of acupuncture therapy on low back pain and/or knee pain in elderly patients.“  In the study 75 elderly patients with low back pain and/or knee pain visited an acupuncture and physical therapy unit in a geriatric hospital.  60 patients reported that their pain diminished following their therapy.   The proportion of patients who were treated with acupuncture therapy was higher in these 60 patients than the other 15 patients (55.5% vs. 26.7%, p=0.05).  46% of the patients with acupuncture therapy were also treated with other types of physical therapy.  The result suggests that acupuncture therapy may be able to relieve low back pain and/or knee pain in elderly patients.

•    According to a pilot study done by Schmitt et al published in Schmerz 2001 Feb;15(1):33-7 entitled “Acupuncture treatment of low back pain” the authors concluded that acupuncture is a noninvasive treatment with very few complications and that it is a promising therapeutical option of low back pain, especially when associated with radicular symptoms.

•    Another study done by Molsberger et al published in Pain 2002 Oct;99(3):579-87 entitled “Does acupuncture improve the orthopedic management of chronic low back pain — a randomized, blinded, controlled trial with 3 months follow up” concluded that acupuncture can be an important supplement of conservative orthopedic treatment in the management of chronic low back pain.

•    In a study done by Meng et al published in Rheumatology (Oxford). 2003 Dec;42(12):1508-17 entitled “Acupuncture for chronic low back pain in order patients: a randomized, controlled trial” it was concluded that acupuncture is an effective, safe adjunctive treatment for chronic low back pain in older patients.  Fewer acupuncture subjects had medication-related side-effects compared with the control group.

•    A study entitled “Acupuncture relieves pelvic and low-back pain in late pregnancy” done by Kvorning et al and published in Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2004 Mar;83(3):246-50 found that acupuncture relieves low-back and pelvic pain without serious adverse effects in late pregnancy.

•    The results of a study published in Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2000 May;79(5):331-5 by Wedenberg et al entitled “A prospective randomized study comparing acupuncture with physiotherapy for low-back and pelvic pain in pregnancy” concluded that acupuncture relieved pain and diminished disability in low-back pain during pre3gnancy better than physi9otherpay.

•    A study published in Russian in Zh Nevropatol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 1976;76(6):872-4 using acupuncture for lumbosacral radiculitis showed that there was a significant improvement in the group of patients who received only acupuncture (87.2%) and somewhat less (70.2%) in the group treated with conventional methods.

NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN

•    A study done by He et al entitled “Effect of acupuncture treatment on chronic neck and shoulder pain in sedentary female workers: a 6-month and 3-year follow-up study” published in  Pain 2004 Jun;109(3):299-307 concluded that adequate acupuncture treatment may reduce chronic pain in the neck and shoulders and also related headache.  They found that the effect lasted for 3 years.

•    The results of a study published in Clin J Pain 1998 Sep;14(3):248-55 by Birch et al entitled “Controlled trial of Japanese acupuncture for chronic myofascial neck pain: assessment of specific and nonspecific effects of treatment” concluded that relevant acupuncture with heat contributes to modest pain reduction in persons with myofascial neck pain.

•    The results of a study published in Acupunct Electrother Res 1987;12(1):37-44 by Peng et al entitled “Long-term therapeutic effects of electro-acupuncture for chronic neck and shoulder pain — a double blind study” found that 24 or 64.9% of their patients obtained significant long term improvement.  An increase in regional microcirculation by peripheral sympathetic blockage from elector-acupuncture is thought to be responsible for the tissue healing and subsequent pain relief.

PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME

•    The results of a study published in Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2002 Nov;267(1):23-6 by Habek et al entitled “Using acupuncture to treat premenstrual syndrome” found that the success rate of acupuncture in treating PMS symptoms was 77.8%, whereas it was 5.9% in the placebo group.  The positive influence of acupuncture in treating PMS symptoms can be ascribed to its effects on the serotoninergic and opiodergic neurotransmission that modulates various psychosomatic functions.  The initial positive results of PMS symptoms with a holistic approach are encouraging and acupuncture should be suggested to the patients as a method of treatment.

SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

•    In a study by Yaman et al entitled “The place of acupuncture in the management of psychogenic impotence” published in Eur Urol 1994;26(1):52-5 it would found that of the 29 patients treated with acupuncture 20 patients demonstrated successful erections following a varying number of acupuncture sessions.  In the light of their findings the authors concluded that acupuncture may be an effective alternative in the management of purely psychogenic impotence.

•    In a study by Engelhardt et al entitled “Acupuncture in the treatment of psychogenic erectile dysfunction: first results of a prospective randomized placebo-controlled study” published in Int J Impot Res 2003 Oct;15(5):343-6 the potentially curative effect of acupuncture was investigated in 22 patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction.  The results of their pilot study indicated that acupuncture can be an effective treatment option in more than two-thirds of patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction.

WEIGHT REDUCTION

•     The results of a study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1993 Mar, 13(1):22-6 by Sun, Q. and Xu Y. entitled “Simple obesity and obesity hyperlipema treated with otoacupoint pellet pressure and body acupuncture” indicated that treatment in the auricular and body acupoint group was superior to treatment in the control group.  In the acupoint group body weight dropped by an average of 5.04 kg in 84.55% of the patients, who also showed decreased appetite, blood TC and TG.

•     The results of another study which was published in Australian Family Physician 1998 Jul; 27 Suppl 2:S73-7 by Richards, D. and Marley, J. entitled “Stimulation of auricular acupuncture points in weight loss” found that frequent stimulation of specific auricular acupuncture points is an effective method of appetite suppression which leads

J Altern Complement Med. 2007 Jul-Aug;13(6):669-76.