A randomised cross-over pilot study investigating the use of acupuncture to promote weight loss and mental health in overweight and obese individuals participating in a weight loss program

Background: Acupuncture is widely used as an alternative modality for weight loss. Despite its increasing use, few acupuncture studies have evaluated the effect of a weight loss program on the mental health of obese/overweight participants and none have looked at the effect on those with eating, weight and shape concerns. Objectives: To investigate the feasibility of conducting an acupuncture study involving overweight or obese individuals undertaking a weight loss program with particular reference to those with eating concerns. Methods: Thirty-five overweight/obese males and females participated in a single-blinded randomised cross-over study. The two intervention phases were: (1) nutritional counselling plus Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture and (2) nutritional counselling plus sham acupuncture. Outcome measures: This study evaluates the feasibility and practicalities of the study including recruitment, retention, adverse events, effectiveness for defining eating and weight concerns, study design and statistics for power calculations. Conclusion: The outcome measures, the recruitment of those with eating and weight concerns and the acceptability of the intervention demonstrate a larger trial investigating the use of acupuncture for weight loss in those who have elevated eating and weight concerns is feasible.