Electro Acupuncture for weight loss and erectile dysfunction

This news is based on a research.

To compare the effects of weight control on simple obese women between electroacupuncture and sit -up exercise, the measurements of body weight, BMI and WC were performed.

More than 50% of Americans are overweight, with 20% classified as obese.  In the UK, the overweight and obese populations increased  by almost 15% from 1990 to 1992.  Furthermore, the incidence and prevalence of obesity are increasing worldwide, especially in the developing and newly industrialized nations.  Obesity is related to diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease, which are major diseases in Taiwan and other developing countries.  Obesity is becoming a global epidemic and common health problem.  Obesity is definied as BMI>30 kg/m2 , which necessitates weight control treatment.

This was a randomized crossover study.  Each patient was randomly allocated to receive either the electro acupuncture treatment for 6 weeks and then, after a 1-week washout period, a sit-up exercise treatment for 6 weeks. The trial was conducted from January 2002 through December 2002 in the Taipei Hospital Taiwan.  A total of 54 simple obese women were enrolled.  Enrolled subjects were between 16 and 65 years old with waist circumference  (WC)>90cm and BMI>30 kg/m2.

The standardized acupuncture points were chosen by several consultants and Chinese-medicine doctors of our study, according to the theory of Chinese medicine and clinical experience.  Six acupuncture points on the abdomen including (Ren-6), (Ren-9), right (St.28) left (ST.28), right (K-14) and left ( K.14) and six acupuncture points including (ST.26), (ST.40) and (SP.6) on both lower legs were selected.  Electrical stimulation was applied to the abdominal acupuncture points only.  Each acupuncture treatment lasted 40 min.  All subjects should receive two treatments per week, for a total of 6 weeks during electro-acupuncture treatment course.  

The main outcome evaluated is the % reductions in BMI and WC after electroacupuncture and sit-up exercise treatment.  All measurements were carried out after an overnight fast using standardized methods and were performed in the beginning, 6,8 and 13 weeks later.  The double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial is recognized as the gold standard for showing whether an intervention has a specific effect over placebo or control.  To compare the effect of electrical stimulation on abdominal acupuncture points, we designed the abdominal sit-up exercise for comparison.  Thus we conducted this randomized and crossover clinical study to demonstrate the effects of electro acupuncture on obesity.  Electroacupuncture is more effective than sit-up exercise in reducing BW and BMI during the first 6 weeks of the study and the last.  {mosimage}

In conclusion, this study demonstrated that electroacupuncture is more effective than sit-up exercise in reducing BW,BMI and WC, making it an alternative treatment option for weight and WC control on obese women.

In a prospective study, we investigated the potentially curative effect of acupuncture in patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction (pED).  A total of 22 patients with pED were randomized into two groups.  Prior to acupuncture, serum sexual hormone levels, IIEF score, nocturnal penile tumescence testing for three nights  and the erectile response to 50mg sildenafil were evaluated.  A satisfacatory response was achieved in 68.4% of the treatment group.  Another 21.05% of the pateints had improved errections, that is sufficient rigidity under simultaneous treatment with 50 gm sildenafil.  The results of our pilot study indicate that acupuncture can be an effective treatment option in more than two-thirds of patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction.

Acupuncture as part of TCM has its origin in ancient China.  The basic concepts of TCM are linked to the philosophy of Yin and Yang, two powers that complement one another.  Both drive the 'Qi', the body's very energy.  Yin stands for coldness, consolidation, stability and a balanced nature, whereas Yang is associated with heat, activity and expansion.  Energies of the human body and its organs is represented by Qi.  Organ has its own Qi, which in turn governs organ function.  According to the theories and doctrines of TCM, the energy of the human body is flowing and can be found along the so-called meridians.  Meridians, like strings of pearls, each carry several organ and organ function-specific acupuncture points.  Activation of meridians and acupuncture points can redirect and reactivate Qi as well as organ function.

In a study in 13 patients, among  them nine patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction, Kho et al demonstrated an overall improvement of the patients condition in 46%, however, sufficient erections in only 15%.  In contrast, Yaman et al reported a success rate of acupuncture of 69% in 29 patients,  all patients being diagnosed with psychogenic erectile dysfunction.  Acupuncture therapy was most effective in the domains of erectile dysfunction , intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction. These results suggest that acupuncture is a valid option in the treatment of psychogenic erectile dysfunction.