1. Mashhad University of Medical Science 2. Mashhad University of Medical Science 3. Mashhad University of Medical Science
Abstract
Introduction
Obesity is a chronic disease which is on the increase. treatments of obesity include diet therapy, exercise, behavior therapy, drug therapy, surgery and alternative medicine. acupuncture is a new treatment for obesity particularly in iran. the goal of this study is evaluating the effects of acupuncture on blood glucose levels in obese and overweight patients.
Methods
82 individuals were randomly recruited from patients attending ghaem hospital of mashhad, iran. the patients were visited by a dietitian. then acupuncture therapy started in 8th day and was done for 12 sessions and each session lasted 30 minutes. anthropometric measurements were done before and after the study and 6th session of acupuncture therapy. before and after acupuncture, blood samples were collected for glucose and fasting insulin.
Results
Body mass index, weight and waist circumference after treatment in both groups decreased significantly compared to before treatment. however, changes in the intervention group were greater, but the difference between groups was not significant. the results of our study indicate that fasting blood glucose was significantly increased in the intervention group but in control group decreased and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. the intervention group had a slight increase in fasting insulin but in the control group had a significant increase. the difference between groups was not statistically significant.
Conclusion
Applying acupuncture in addition to appropriate diet can be helpful in the weight loss through an increase in fasting blood glucose in the normal range.
Keywords
Acupuncture, obese and overweight, fasting blood glucose, anthropometric
