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http://dx.doi.org/10.15429/jkomor.2015.15.1.1

The Effects of Electroacupuncture for Treatment of Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Prospective Randomized Controlled Study  

Lee, Chang-Hyeong (Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine)
Kim, Byung-Seok (Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine)
Choi, Ae-Ryun (Department of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University)
Kim, Kyung-Soon (Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University)
Kwak, Min-A (Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University)
Kim, Seung-Mo (Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University)
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research / v.15, no.1, 2015 , pp. 1-8 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: A randomized, controlled pilot trial was conducted. Twenty-two participants were randomized into one of the two groups: an acupuncture group (n=11) and wait-list group (n=11). The treatment group received 8 sessions of electroacupuncture over 8 weeks. Twenty points (CV4, CV12, both LR14, GB26, ST25, ST34, ST40, ST36, SP4, SP6, LR3) were selected for needling. The control group did not receive acupuncture treatment during study period and followup were done in the 4th and 8th weeks after randomization in both groups. The primary outcome was body fat computed tomography and the secondary outcomes included blood test (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transferase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoproteincholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, blood sugar test, ${\gamma}$-guanosine triphosphate) and body composition test (body mass index, weight, body fat mass, body fat rate, waist hip ratio). Safety was assessed at every visit. Results: There was no significant differences in between the experimental group and control group. There were no adverse events. Conclusions: The results suggest that In patients with NAFLD, electroacupuncture treatment did not induce worsening of liver disease and liver function, but it was no improvement symptoms of fatty liver. Study of herb medicine treatments and other acupuncture therapy of NAFLD are required later.
Keywords
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Electroacupuncture; Body fat computed tomography; Blood test; Body composition test;
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