Acupoint catgut embedding versus acupuncture for simple obesity: a systematic review and Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of acupoint catgut embedding and acupuncture on simple obesity by Meta-analysis.


METHODS
Studies on clinical randomized controlled trials of acupoint catgut embedding for simple obesity which were published from January 2015 to November 2020 were searched in Cochrane Central Register of Control Trials (Central), PubMed, China Science and Technology Journal Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database and Wanfang data-bases. And those that met the inclusion criteria were screened. RevMan5.3 was used for Meta-analysis. The "Risk of Bias" tool was used to evaluate the quality of included studies. R studio software was used for the measurement of publication bias.


RESULTS
A total of 33 studies were included for Meta-analysis, including 2685 patients with simple obesity. Meta-analysis results showed the comparison of effectiveness rate was relative risk () = 1.12, 95%(1.08, 1.16), body mass index (BMI) was mean difference () = -1.12, 95% (-2.09, -0.14), waist circumference was = -2.14, 95% (-4.22, -0.06), and body mass was = -2.36, 95% (-3.99, -0.73). On the basis of diet and exercise intervention, the effectiveness rate [ = 1.12, 95% (1.05, 1.19)], BMI [ = -0.88, 95% (-1.35, -0.40)], waist circumference [ = -1.10, 95%(-4.27, 2.07)], and body mass [ = -0.68, 95%(-2.90, 1.54)]. The risk of bias of included literatures was low.


CONCLUSIONS
Acupoint catgut embedding therapy was slightly better than acupuncture therapy in most of the outcomes. Moreover, the treatment frequency of acupoint catgut embedding is less with larger stimulation intensity, which is more conducive to clinical promotion.