title: Immediate effect of three different electroacupuncture protocols on fasting blood glucose in obese patients: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity is an increasing global health problem, and current methods of management are limited. Preliminary research data suggest that acupuncture may have an influence on metabolic parameters related to obesity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the electroacupuncture (EA) protocol to be used in a future clinical trial examining the effect of acupuncture on metabolic parameters related to obesity and to examine whether a single EA treatment can change fasting blood glucose in obese subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  16 obese women aged 30-52 years with body mass index >30 kg/m(2) were assigned consecutively into three groups and their fasting blood glucose was measured before and after administering a single session, lasting 30 min, of one of three EA treatment protocols. The Dorsal group received EA to dorsal segmental acupuncture points BL18-23 bilaterally (corresponding to the segmental levels innervating the pancreas); the Ear group received EA to ear points in the cavum conchae; and the Limb group received EA to points in the arms and legs (LI10-LI11, ST36-Zongping).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a single session of EA there was a statistically significant decrease in fasting blood glucose in the Dorsal and Limb groups, but there was no change and even a trend towards an increase in the glucose level in the Ear group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this small pilot study suggest that EA to either dorsal segmental points corresponding to the pancreas or to muscle points in all four limbs may exert a beneficial effect on glucose metabolism in obese women.
authors.affiliation: First Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Belivani
authors.affiliation: Foundation for Acupuncture and Biological Treatment Methods, Sabbatsbergs Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lundeberg
authors.affiliation: British Medical Acupuncture Society, Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cummings
authors.affiliation: First Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Charikleia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dimitroula
authors.affiliation: First Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Belivani
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesiology and ICU Department, AHEPA Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vasilakos
authors.affiliation: First Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hatzitolios
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015671:Electroacupuncture / Q000379:methods*; D005215:Fasting / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin