Auricular Acupressure Integrated With a Smartphone Application for Weight Reduction

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether self-administered auricular acupressure integrated with a smartphone application works to reduce weight in patients with obesity accompanied with obesity-related comorbid illness. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is there significant difference in the Body Mass Index (BMI) between the self-administered auricular acupressure integrated with a smartphone app (Version 2) group (experimental group) and the usual care group, in people with obesity accompanied with metabolic syndrome? * Are there significant differences in other anthropometric parameters between the two groups? These parameters include waist circumference, body fat percentage, skeletal muscle percentage, and waist-to-hip ratio. * Are there any significant differences in obesity-related parameters between the two groups? These parameters include blood lipid profile (triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)), blood glucose concentrations (fasting glucose and glycated haemoglobin/ HbA1c), and blood pressure. Participants in the experimental group will: * Be affixed with 6 to 8 hypoallergic Vaccariae Semen ear patches on one ear each time * Visit the clinic twice a week to change a new set of ear patches on the opposite ear * Will undergo this intervention for 8 weeks * Install a smartphone application which will send pop-up notifications to remind them to press on the ear patches regularly every day * Keep a record on the number of times pressing on the smartphone application

Timeline

Start

2025-04-09

Primary completion

2026-12-31

Completion

2026-12-31

Publications

• Background Ling J, Chen S, Zahry NR, Kao TA. Economic burden of childhood overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obes Rev. 2023 Feb;24(2):e13535. doi: 10.1111/obr.13535. Epub 2022 Nov 27.
• Background Hsu CH, Wang CJ, Hwang KC, Lee TY, Chou P, Chang HH. The effect of auricular acupuncture in obese women: a randomized controlled trial. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2009 Jun;18(6):813-8. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2008.1005.
• Background Hsieh CH, Su TJ, Fang YW, Chou PH. Efficacy of two different materials used in auricular acupressure on weight reduction and abdominal obesity. Am J Chin Med. 2012;40(4):713-20. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X1250053X.
• Background Hsieh CH, Su TJ, Fang YW, Chou PH. Effects of auricular acupressure on weight reduction and abdominal obesity in Asian young adults: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Chin Med. 2011;39(3):433-40. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X11008932.
• Background Suen L, Wang W, Cheng KKY, Chua MCH, Yeung JWF, Koh WK, Yeung SKW, Ho JYS. Self-Administered Auricular Acupressure Integrated With a Smartphone App for Weight Reduction: Randomized Feasibility Trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2019 May 29;7(5):e14386. doi: 10.2196/14386.
• Background Granado-Font E, Flores-Mateo G, Sorli-Aguilar M, Montana-Carreras X, Ferre-Grau C, Barrera-Uriarte ML, Oriol-Colominas E, Rey-Renones C, Caules I, Satue-Gracia EM; OBSBIT Study Group. Effectiveness of a Smartphone application and wearable device for weight loss in overweight or obese primary care patients: protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMC Public Health. 2015 Jun 4;15:531. doi: 10.1186/s12889-015-1845-8.
• Background Eisenhauer CM, Hageman PA, Rowland S, Becker BJ, Barnason SA, Pullen CH. Acceptability of mHealth Technology for Self-Monitoring Eating and Activity among Rural Men. Public Health Nurs. 2017 Mar;34(2):138-146. doi: 10.1111/phn.12297. Epub 2016 Oct 18.
• Background Semper HM, Povey R, Clark-Carter D. A systematic review of the effectiveness of smartphone applications that encourage dietary self-regulatory strategies for weight loss in overweight and obese adults. Obes Rev. 2016 Sep;17(9):895-906. doi: 10.1111/obr.12428. Epub 2016 May 18.
• Background Lim R, Beekley A, Johnson DC, Davis KA. Early and late complications of bariatric operation. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open. 2018 Oct 9;3(1):e000219. doi: 10.1136/tsaco-2018-000219. eCollection 2018.
• Background Chang SH, Stoll CR, Song J, Varela JE, Eagon CJ, Colditz GA. The effectiveness and risks of bariatric surgery: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis, 2003-2012. JAMA Surg. 2014 Mar;149(3):275-87. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2013.3654.
• Background Wadden TA, Webb VL, Moran CH, Bailer BA. Lifestyle modification for obesity: new developments in diet, physical activity, and behavior therapy. Circulation. 2012 Mar 6;125(9):1157-70. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.111.039453. No abstract available.
• Background Ko GT. The cost of obesity in Hong Kong. Obes Rev. 2008 Mar;9 Suppl 1:74-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2007.00442.x.

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Indications