Effects of Laser Acupuncture and Dietary Intervention on Key Obesity Parameters

Objectives: The scope of obesity includes quality of life (QoL); emotions; and financial burdens on individuals, families, and society. Obesity contributes to many diseases, such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, osteoarthritis, and cancer. Dietary modifications, lifestyle interventions, pharmacologic agents, and surgical interventions are some ways to address obesity; yet, safer, more-effective options are needed. Laser acupuncture can significantly lower body mass index (BMI) by reducing abdominal and visceral adipose tissue content and regulating lipid metabolism. This study investigated the effects of laser acupuncture + diet modification on fasting blood-glucose level, insulin level, waist:hip ratio, QoL scoring, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level, triglycerides, BMI, and appetite scoring in obese patients. Materials and Methods: The patients (N = 38) were divided randomly into 2 groups: (1) laser acupuncture + dietary intervention (n = 19) and (2) sham laser acupuncture + dietary intervention (n = 19). Both groups had the same dietary intervention and laser acupuncture sessions, 3 times/week for 4 weeks. All parameters were assessed before and after the interventions. Results: There were statistically significant differences in waist:hip ratio (P = 0.000), QoL scores (P = 0.000), BMI (P = 0.000), and appetite scores (P = 0.000) between the 2 groups after the interventions. There were no differences in levels of blood glucose (P = 0.543), insulin (P = 1.00), HDL (P = 0.208), and triglycerides (P = 0.413) between the 2 groups after the interventions. Conclusions: Combining laser acupuncture and a dietary intervention has good effects on waist:hip ratio, QoL scores, BMI, and appetite scores in obese patients.