Effects of auriculotherapy on weight and body mass index reduction in patients with overweight or obesity: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Authors :: Mendonça CR
Coelho Dos Santos LS
Noll M
Silveira EA
Arruda JT
Source :: Complementary therapies in clinical practice [Complement Ther Clin Pract] 2020 Feb; Vol. 38, pp. 101069. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Oct 25.
Publication Year :: 2020
Abstract: Objective: Auriculotherapy is based on the stimulation of reflex points in the ear. However, little is known about its weight-reducing effects. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of auriculotherapy on weight and/or (BMI) reduction in overweight or patients with obesity. Methods: Twelve articles were selected for systematic review. Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating weight reduction and five investigating BMI reduction were selected for the meta-analyzes. Results: The results revealed an association between auriculotherapy and weight reduction (WMD, 1.507; 95% CI, 0.606-2.407; p < 0.000). Auriculotherapy was also significantly associated with BMI reduction (WMD, 0.865; 95% CI, 0.533-1.196; p < 0.004). Conclusions: We found that auriculotherapy was effective in reducing weight and/or BMI in overweight or patients with obesity. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to heterogeneity. Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None. (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Subjects :: Body Mass Index
Body Weight
Humans
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Weight Loss
Auriculotherapy methods
Obesity therapy
Overweight therapy

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