ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of catgut-embedding (CE) therapy based on respiration-induced reinforcing and reducing and electro-acupuncture (EA) therapy in treating simple obesity with spleen deficiency and dampness retention. Methods Sixty simlpe obesity patients with spleen deficiency and dampness retention were randomized into CE group and EA group, 30 cases in each group. The acupoints selected for the two groups were the same, and the points were Zhongwan, Shuifen, Qihai, Guanyuan, Tianshu, Liangmen, Daheng, Fujie, Quchi, Xuehai, Yinlingquan, Fenglong, and Ashi. CE group was given CE therapy with the needling for CE therapy referred to the respiration-induced reinforcing and reducing method, and EA group was given EA therapy for 2 continuous treatment courses, 4 weeks constituting one course. Body mass and body mass index (BMI) of the two groups before and after treatment were observed, and the clinical efficacy was also evaluated after treatment. Results (1) After treatment for 2 courses, body mass and BMI of the two groups were obviously decreased(P 0.05). (2) The total effective rate of CE group was 90.0% and that of EA group was 86.7%, and the difference between the two groups was insignificant (P > 0.05). Conclusion The therapeutic effect of CE therapy based on respiration-induced reinforcing and reducing in treating simple obesity with spleen deficiency and dampness retention is similar to that of EA therapy, and the patients can choose anyone of them for loosing body weight according to the preference.