[Observation on therapeutic effect of catgut implantation at acupoint on simple obesity of different syndrome types].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the therapeutic effect of catgut implantation at acupoint on simple obesity of different syndrome types, so as to understand the syndrome type most suitable to this therapy.


METHODS
Using prospective and double blind method one hundred and thirty-seven cases were divided into a group of dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency (n=30), a stomach heat-dampness stagnation group (n=30), a group of stagnation of liver qi (n=27), a group of deficiency of both spleen and kidney (n=26) and a group of endogenous heat due to yin deficiency (n=24). They were treated with catgut implantation at main acupoints Liangmen (ST 21), Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Qihai (CV 6), Fenglong (ST 40) and adjuvant points selected according to different syndromes, once each week, 4 weeks constituting one course, for 2 courses. Changes of body weight, body mass index (BMI), circumferences of chest, waist and hip, and symptoms and signs before and after treatment were observed.


RESULTS
After treatment, the body weight, BMI, circumferences of waist and hip in the 5 groups had significant changes; the total effective rates in the group of dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency, the stomach heat-dampness stagnation group, the group of stagnation of liver qi, the group of deficiency of both spleen and kidney deficiency, the group of endogenous heat due to yin deficiency were 83.3%, 93.3%, 48.2%, 69.2% and 41.70%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The therapeutic effect of catgut implantation at acupoints is the best for simple obesity of the stomach heat-dampness stagnation type and the worst for the type of endogenous heat due to yin deficiency.
Wang
Hai-qiao
HQ
Department of Acupuncture, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of TCM, Shanghai 200437, China.
Ge
Bao-he
BH
Dong
Gui-rong
GR
D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002398:Catgut; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D055815:Young Adult