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Evidence summaries

Acupuncture/Acupressure for Weight Reduction

Acupuncture might possibly have no effect on weight reduction although there is no evidence from controlled trials. Level of evidence: "D"

A systematic review 1 including 4 RCTs with a total of 270 subjects was abstracted in DARE. The two trials of low methodological quality, which primarily assessed hunger had positive results; the two trials judged to be of greater methodological quality, which measured body weight found no differences between treatment and control.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by sparse data, inconsistency of results and study limitations.

References

  • Ernst E. Acupuncture/acupressure for weight reduction? A systematic review. Wien Klin Wochenschr 1997 Jan 31;109(2):60-2. [PubMed][DARE]

Primary/Secondary Keywords