Effectiveness of Acupuncture and Laser Acupuncture in Combination With Dietary Therapy and Exercise for Overweight and Obese Women: A Randomized Trial Publisher



Shojaedin A ; Laal N ; Sheibani F ; Razaghi Z ; Abolhasani M ; Zayeri F
Source: Innovations in Acupuncture and Medicine Published:2025

Abstract

Background: Obesity presents serious health risks and is a leading cause of mortality, underscoring the need for effective interventions. Some studies have indicated that acupuncture could be beneficial for weight loss, whether used alone or in combination with lifestyle modification. Additionally, laser acupuncture has emerged as a complementary approach for weight loss. Hence, this study aims to compare the effectiveness of dietary therapy combined with exercise, acupuncture, and laser acupuncture for weight loss in overweight and obese women. Methods: A four-arm randomized trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of these interventions on weight loss. In this trial, 100 women among 120 participants, aged 18 to 50 with a BMI ranging from 25 to 39.9, were eligible for recruitment from the obesity clinic at Sina Hospital. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: (1) diet therapy and exercise, (2) acupuncture with diet and exercise, (3) laser acupuncture with diet and exercise, and (4) a combined approach of acupuncture and laser acupuncture alongside diet and exercise. Laser treatments used a 980 nm wavelength at a power of 200 mW. Outcomes included changes in anthropometric measures, weight loss, and demographic data assessed before the intervention, after 12 sessions, and three months post-intervention. Results: All groups showed significant reductions in BMI and fat mass. The mixed treatment group had a greater reduction in fat mass compared to the diet-only group. However, fat mass reductions in the acupuncture and laser acupuncture groups were not significantly different from the diet group. Conclusions: Combining nutritional interventions with acupuncture therapies, especially laser acupuncture, appears effective for weight reduction and improving body composition. These findings support integrating acupuncture with dietary and lifestyle modifications for effective weight management. Trial registration: The study protocol was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial (ID: IRCT20111121008146N42) and received ethical approval from Shahid Beheshti Medical Science University Authority Research Ethics Board (IR.SBMU.RETECH.REC.1401.544). © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.