A randomised cross-over pilot study investigating the use of acupuncture to promote weight loss and mental health in overweight and obese individuals participating in a weight loss program

Acupuncture is widely used as an alternative modality for weight loss. Despite its increasing use, few acupuncture studies have evaluated the effect of a weight loss program on the mental health of obese/overweight participants and none have looked at the effect on those with eating, weight and shape concerns. To investigate the feasibility of conducting an acupuncture study involving overweight or obese individuals undertaking a weight loss program with particular reference to those with eating concerns. Thirty-five overweight/obese males and females participated in a single-blinded randomised cross-over study. The two intervention phases were: (1) nutritional counselling plus Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture and (2) nutritional counselling plus sham acupuncture. This study evaluates the feasibility and practicalities of the study including recruitment, retention, adverse events, effectiveness for defining eating and weight concerns, study design and statistics for power calculations. The outcome measures, the recruitment of those with eating and weight concerns and the acceptability of the intervention demonstrate a larger trial investigating the use of acupuncture for weight loss in those who have elevated eating and weight concerns is feasible.