Purpose
It was the purpose that if the auricular dermal points would be a cure for obesity.
Method
Subjects were 60 patients from 18 to 45 years old getting simple obestiy in the obesity index over 120% and were divided randomly into the lung area dermal points test group and the extra-lung area test group (1.5mm above the lung dermal points). In the auricular dermal points, subcutaneous needles were applied to both groups. The needles were changed every week and the therapy was continued 4 weeks. By the following method, the effect of acupuncture upon their appetite and electrolyte metabolism were analyzed. A questionaire containing 4 matters points of discussion was given to them to complete such as amount of diet and drink, the sense of hunger and satiety. Before and after therapy, they were examined variations of the following 7 matters points; weight, blood suger in hunger, free fatty acid, insulin, osmetic pressure, serum natrium and serum kalium.
Effect
The dermal points test group showed significantly decrease in amount of diet (p<0.01), drink (p<0.01) and in the sense of hunger (p<0.05) and increase in satiety (p<0.01). In both groups their weight decreased significantly, especially in the dermal points test group, but there were significant differences in weight between the two (p<0.05). In the 2, 3, 4 week after therapy, the dermal points test group showed significant decrease in insulin (p<0.025, p<0.025, p<0.05), on the other hand, the other did not show any significant difference. On the variation of blood suger, there was almost no difference between the two. The dermal points test group showed significant decrease in osmetic pressure and serum natrium (p<0.005, p<0.05) from the first week after therapy and it held still the fourth week (p<0.005, p<0.05), whereas the other showed no significant difference. Osmetic pressure had a significant difference in both groups (p<0.05).
Conclusion
It was concluded that the lung area dermal points were a cure for obesity and, being given stimulus to these points, appetite was strained and weight was decreased. It is also considered that it gives a good effect upon saccarometabolism and electrolyte metabolism.