THE JOURNAL OF ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE

Volume 19, Number 9, 2013, pp. 740–745

ª Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
DOI: 10.1089/acm.2012.0429

Effectiveness of Abdominal Acupuncture for Patients

with Obesity-Type Polycystic Ovary Syndrome:
A Randomized Controlled Trial

Yan-Hua Zheng, MM, Xin-Hua Wang, MD, Mao-Hua Lai, MD, Hong Yao, MM,
Hua Liu, MM, and Hong-Xia Ma, MD

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of abdominal acupuncture at the endocrine and metabolic level in patients
with obesity-type polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Methods: Eighty-six women from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College with a diagnosis of
PCOS (body–mass index [BMI] ‡ 25 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to receive 6 months of abdominal acu-
puncture (once a day) or oral metformin (250 mg three times daily in the first week, followed by 500 mg three
times daily thereafter). BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), ovarian volume, menstrual frequency, homeostasis model
assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and Ferriman–Gallwey score were measured at the beginning of
the study and after 6 months of treatment. Luteotrophic hormone (LH), testosterone, follicle-stimulating hor-
mone (FSH), fasting blood glucose, 2-hour Postprandial blood glucose, fasting insulin, 2-hour postprandial
blood insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density
lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were also assessed.
Results: According to the results at baseline and 6 months, BMI, WHR, Ferriman–Gallwey score, ovarian volume,
luteotrophic hormone, ratio of luteotrophic hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, LDL-C, triglyc-
erides, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, fasting insulin, 2-hour post-
prandial blood insulin, and HOMA-IR were reduced significantly in the two groups ( p < 0.05). Menstrual frequency
and HDL-C ( p < 0.05) increased significantly in both groups; follicle-stimulating hormone also increased in both
groups, but the change was not significant ( p > 0.05). The acupuncture group showed considerable advantages over
the metformin group in terms of reduced BMI and WHR and increases in menstrual frequency ( p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Abdominal acupuncture and metformin improved the endocrine and metabolic function of patients
with obesity-type PCOS. Abdominal acupuncture may be more effective in improving menstrual frequency,
BMI, and WHR, with few adverse effects.

Introduction duction is considered important in treatment of menstruation

disorders. Lifestyle modification, focusing predominantly on

P olycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endo-

crine and metabolic disorder associated with ovulatory
dysfunction, hyperandrogenism, abdominal obesity, and insu-
lin resistance that affects 4%–12% women of reproductive age.1
Obesity and abdominal adiposity may play a critical role in
generating and maintaining PCOS; 50% of women with PCOS
have been reported as overweight or obese.2 Recent studies
have shown that weight loss is associated with beneficial effects
on hormones, metabolism, and clinical features; weight loss of
5%–10% could restore menstrual function, lead to increased
glucose tolerance, and improve body composition.3 Given the
high prevalence of obesity in women with PCOS, weight re-
diet and physical exercise, is first-line therapy for metabolic
complications in overweight and obese women with PCOS.
However, a controlled diet and aerobic exercise over a
long time span may be hard to maintain. Thus, patients with
PCOS are commonly treated with metformin, an oral insulin-
sensitizing agent.4 This drug reduces blood glucose con-
centrations and improves insulin sensitivity in the liver and
the peripheral tissues, thereby inhibiting hepatic glucose
production and increasing glucose uptake and use in mus-
cle.5 Metformin normalizes several measures in women
with PCOS.6 Reduction of androgen levels, with an approx-
imately 25%–50% decrease in testosterone, has been well

First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou, China.

740
EFFICACY OF ABDOMINAL ACUPUNCTURE FOR OBESE PCOS PATIENTS
documented, and a recent study showed that metformin ad-
ministered for up to 6 months reduced hirsutism in PCOS.7 In
addition, other studies have revealed that metformin may
increase the number of menstrual cycles in women with
PCOS.8 Thus, in women without evidence of renal or hepatic
disease, metformin appears effective in reducing the negative
effects of PCOS on reproductive and metabolic health.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a label that covers a
broad range of traditional medicine practices throughout Asia.
Acupuncture is an important component of TCM. There are
more than 300 acupoints along the meridians that are described
as a system for transporting energy and as a fundamental cir-
culatory system for all tissues in the body. The meridians are not
nerves and are not visible in anatomy; however, manual or
electrical acupuncture activates the afferent nerve fibers.9
Acupuncture is considered a relatively safe treatment. The
incidence of adverse effects is substantially lower than that of
many drugs or other accepted procedures for the same
conditions. Compared with many conventional medical
treatments, the rate of serious adverse effects of acupuncture
has been reported as 3 per 1 million treatments.10 Because
adverse effects and serious adverse reactions are obstacles to
current therapies for ovulation induction in women with
PCOS, alternatives are required. Acupuncture has been re-
ported to be a suitable alternative or complement to phar-
macologic induction of ovulation in women with PCOS; this
treatment provides the additional advantages of relieving
other symptoms and adverse effects.11
Abdominal acupuncture offers the advantages of comfort
and safety, as well as effectiveness and efficiency. A system-
atic study based on 30 years of clinical investigation assessed
the mechanism of indications of abdominal points and their
relation with the whole body; in addition, the first study of
abdominal acupuncture assessed the Shenque (CV 8)-channel-
collateral system.12 Considered to play a key role in abdom-
inal acupuncture therapy, umbilical point CV 8 (on the
umbilicus) is the central nucleus of the meridian and collateral
regulatory system and is closely related to the qi and blood
circulation throughout the body. In TCM, the stomach chan-
nel of foot-yangming regulates energy metabolism, and the
conception vessel nourishes the whole genital system.
In this study, CV4, CV6, CV12, and CV13 and bilateral
ST21, ST25, and ST28, which are located near the abdomen
and close to fat depositions, were selected as acupoints.
Abdominal acupuncture may directly affect adipose tissue
and improve endocrine and metabolic functions. The needle
was placed in the abdomen and hind limb, thus exhibiting
the same somatic innervation as the ovaries and uterus.13,14
Therefore, acupuncture on the abdomen, where somatic in-
nervation corresponds to the ovaries, may restore normal en-
docrine, neuroendocrine, metabolic, and autonomic function.
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of abdominal
acupuncture as a treatment for obesity-type PCOS. The effect
of abdominal acupuncture therapy on obese women with
PCOS, as well as a parallel comparison with metformin, was
also studied.
Materials and Methods
Study design and ethics
This single-center randomized clinical trial examined the
effect of abdominal acupuncture on obese women with
741
PCOS. To ensure equal proportions of age and body–mass
index (BMI) in each study group, female patients who met
the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to
an abdominal acupuncture or a metformin group. Stratifi-
cation by age and BMI ensured equal proportions of those
variables across groups. Computer-generated randomization
within each stratum was conducted by using permuted
blocks of two; randomization was concealed until interven-
tions were assigned. The study was conducted in accordance
with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and was
approved by the ethics committee of the First Affiliated
Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou, China.
The trial is registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry
with identifier no. ChiCTR-TRC-12002003.
Participants
Participants were recruited from an outpatient gynecology
department, and the study took place at the First Affiliated
Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College from January 2006
to May 2009. PCOS was defined according to modified
Rotterdam criteria: ultrasonography-verified PCOS ( ‡ 12
follicles 2–9 mm and/or ovarian volume ‡ 10 mL in one or
both ovaries) with oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea or clinical
signs of hyperandrogenism (hirsutism or acne).15 A BMI ‡ 25
kg/m2 was used to define obesity.16 Hirsutism was defined
as a Ferriman–Gallwey score of ‡ 8.17 The presence of acne
was defined by a positive response to the question ‘‘Do you
have acne?’’ Oligomenorrhea was defined as an inter-
menstrual interval > 35 days and fewer than eight menstrual
bleeds in the previous year. Amenorrhea was defined as
absent menstrual bleeding or no menstrual bleeding in the
previous 90 days. Women with PCOS were excluded if they
were younger than 18 or older than 38 years of age or had
cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, or endocrine or
neoplastic causes of hyperandrogenemia. Women older than
age 38 years were excluded because many women in that age
group wish to become pregnant; as a result, they may prefer
assisted reproductive technology over the long-term treat-
ment for PCOS. All participants gave informed oral and
written consent.
Interventions
Abdominal acupuncture. Patients in the acupuncture
group received acupuncture twice a week for 6 months by a
registered acupuncturist educated in theoretical and practical
acupuncture at Guangzhou Medical College. The acupunc-
ture protocol was based on the authors’ clinical experience in
treating women with PCOS. Disposable, single-use, sterilized
needles made of stainless steel (made in China, produced by
Suzhou Tianyi Acupuncture Apparatus; length, 40 mm; di-
ameter, 0.25 mm) were inserted to a depth of 15–30 mm in
segmental acupuncture points located in abdominal muscles
with innervations corresponding to the ovaries; conception
vessel CV4, CV6, CV10, and CV12; and stomach meridian
ST21, ST25, and ST28 bilaterally. All needles were retained
manually (de qi) once inserted and remained in place for 30
minutes at each treatment.
Metformin. Patients in the metformin group received
metformin hydrochloride tablets (Bristol-Myers Squibb,
Shanghai, China; medicine accurate character, H20023370)
742
for 6 months. Metformin is taken with food. In the first week
of the study, patients received 250 mg three times daily;
thereafter, the metformin dose was 500 mg three times daily.
Outcome measurements
All measurements were performed in the morning after an
overnight fast. Because most women with PCOS had oligo-
menorrhea or amenorrhea, the examination day was chosen
independently of cycle day. Outcome measurements were
repeated after 6 months of intervention (within 1 week after
the last treatment).
Anthropometry. Height, weight, waist and hip circum-
ferences, sagittal diameter (the abdominal height as mea-
sured in the supine position), BMI, and waist-to-hip ratio
(WHR) were measured or calculated by standard protocols.
Insulin sensitivity. The homeostasis model assessment of
insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was used to quantify insulin
resistance and b-cell function, according to the following
formula: glucose (mmol/l) · insulin (lU/ml)/22.5.18 Fasting
blood samples for metabolism analyses were drawn between
7:30 am and 8:30 am and were immediately aliquoted on ice
and stored at - 80C until assay. Blood samples were taken
independently of the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle
because most participants had oligomenorrhea or amenor-
rhea. A standard oral glucose tolerance test (75 g) was used
to test for insulin resistance. Blood samples were drawn from
the antecubital vein at 0 and 120 minutes for measurement of
plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. Fasting blood
glucose and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose were deter-
mined by using the glucose oxidase method. Fasting insulin
and 2-hour postprandial insulin levels were assessed with
chemiluminescence at the Department of Clinical Chemistry,
First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College.
Ovarian morphology. Transvaginal ultrasonography was
performed to measure ovarian volume. The women with
amenorrhea received an injection of intramuscular progestin,
20 mg/d for 3 days. The progestin injection induced with-
drawal bleeding. Transvaginal ultrasonography was per-
formed on the third day of the patient’s menstrual cycle or
progestin-induced bleeding. The ovarian volume was taken
as the mean of the volumes of the two ovaries.
Menstrual frequency. Menstrual frequency was calcu-
lated by the assessment of menstrual history, which involved
recording menses in the 3 months before the study as a
baseline. Baseline was calculated by dividing the number of
menstrual bleeds by 3. Monthly menstrual frequency from
baseline to 6 months was calculated by dividing by 6.
Biochemical assessments. Plasma concentrations of to-
tal cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C),
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycer-
ides were determined by using the enzymatic colorimetric
method. Luteotrophic hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating
hormone (FSH), and free testosterone were analyzed by ra-
dioimmunoassay at an accredited laboratory at the Depart-
ment of Clinical Chemistry in the First Affiliated Hospital of
Guangzhou Medical College.
ZHENG ET AL.
Statistical analysis
Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS software,
version 13.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, Illinois). A paired two-
tailed t test was used to analyze the change within each
group before and after the treatments. The paired two-tailed
t test was performed after the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test for
normalization of the distribution; a Student t test was used
where appropriate. The results are expressed as the
mean – standard error, and p < 0.05 was considered to rep-
resent a statistically significant difference.
Results
Demographics and measurements at baseline
Among the 146 women screened at the outpatient clinic,
86 were enrolled and randomly assigned to the abdominal
acupuncture group or the metformin group. No one with-
drew from the study, and all 86 patients completed the study
(Fig. 1). As shown in Table 1, the demographic and clinical
profiles did not significantly differ between the two groups
before the study.
Outcomes at 6 months
Table 2 showed the post-treatment demographic and
clinical profiles of the two groups. BMI, WHR, Ferriman–
Gallwey score, ovarian volume, LH, ratio of LH to FSH,
testosterone, LDL-C, triglycerides, total cholesterol, fasting
blood glucose, 2-hour blood glucose, fasting insulin, 2-hour
postprandial insulin, and HOMA-IR were reduced signifi-
cantly in both the metformin and the abdominal acupuncture
groups ( p < 0.05). Menstrual frequency and HDL-C levels
increased significantly ( p < 0.05) in both groups; FSH also
increased in the two groups, but the changes were not sig-
nificant ( p > 0.05). The abdominal acupuncture group ex-
hibited considerable advantages over the metformin group
in terms of reduced BMI and WHR and increased menstrual
frequency ( p < 0.05).
Adverse effects
Gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, abdominal discom-
fort, and anorexia) are the most common adverse effects of
metformin. The effects are usually dose dependent and can
Recruited
Excluded (n=60)
n=146
Didn’t meet inclusion criteria (n=35)
Didn’t want to take part in (n=16)
Other reasons (n=9)
Randomized
n=86
metformin Abdominal
n=43 acupuncture n=43
After 6 After 6
months n=43 months n=43
FIG 1. Flowchart of the study.
EFFICACY OF ABDOMINAL ACUPUNCTURE FOR OBESE PCOS PATIENTS 743

Table 1. Baseline Characteristics be minimized by gradually increasing the metformin dose. In

this study, the starting dose of metformin was 250 mg three
Abdominal Metformin times daily in the first week. It was increased over a period of
acupuncture group p-
1 week, reaching a dose of 1500 mg/d. Twenty-one patients
Variable group (n = 43) (n = 43) Valuea
in the metformin group had mild adverse effects that oc-
Age (y) 26.5 – 3.0 24.9 – 4.9 > 0.05 curred in the first stages of metformin use (nausea or vo-
BMI (kg/m2) 29.4 – 3.7 29.1 – 3.9 > 0.05 miting in 7, mild diarrhea in 10, and slight dizziness or
Duration of disease (y) 3.5 – 2.8 3.6 – 2.2 > 0.05 weakness in 4). No one in the metformin group withdrew
WHR 0.81 – 0.07 0.81 – 0.08 > 0.05 from the study.
FGS 6.6 – 2.0 6.6 – 1.8 > 0.05 No uncomfortable symptoms occurred in the abdominal
Menstrual frequency 0.3 – 0.17 0.3 – 0.15 > 0.05 acupuncture group. Neither metformin nor abdominal acu-
(cycles/mo) puncture injured the liver or kidney: Serum creatinine and
Ovarian volume (cm3) 11.0 – 2.7 11.0 – 3.9 > 0.05
urea nitrogen levels were still normal after the interventions.
FSH (mIU/mL) 5.9 – 2.0 5.7 – 1.8 > 0.05
LH (mIU/mL) 13.5 – 4.8 13.8 – 5.2 > 0.05
LH/FSH ratio 3.0 – 0.8 2.8 – 0.9 > 0.05 Discussion
Testosterone (nmol/L) 3.0 – 0.8 2.9 – 1.0 > 0.05
Fasting blood glucose 5.5 – 2.2 5.6 – 1.8 > 0.05 PCOS is associated with high sympathetic nerve activity,
(mmol/L) and increased sympathetic nerve activity may be associated
2-hour blood glucose 6.2 – 1.6 5.9 – 1.3 > 0.05 with hyperandrogenism.19 Obesity may worsen all clinical
(mmol/L) features of PCOS; it is considered the most important de-
Fasting insulin (mU/L) 12.5 – 5.9 13.5 – 8.0 > 0.05 terminant of excessive sympathetic activation. Adiposity still
Insulin (mU/L) 12.5 – 5.9 13.5 – 8.0 > 0.05 remains the leading concern in the pathogenesis of PCOS.20
HOMA-IR 3.9 – 1.4 3.8 – 1.2 > 0.05 Recently, serum insulin, triglycerides, waist circumference,
Total cholesterol 5.1 – 1.1 5.1 – 1.0 > 0.05 and WHR were shown to be correlated positively with BMI
(mmol/L)
in women with PCOS. As an acceptable proxy for thinness
Triglyceride (mmol/L) 2.8 – 0.6 2.7 – 0.4 > 0.05
LDL-C (mmol/L) 3.4 – 1.2 3.2 – 1.0 > 0.05 and overweight or obesity, when BMI was > 23 kg/m2, the
HDL-C (mmol/L) 1.2 – 0.2 1.1 – 0.2 > 0.05 prevalence of metabolic syndrome was particularly in-
creased.21 As shown in Table 1, at baseline, the patients ex-
Values are expressed as the mean – SEM error. hibited metabolic dysfunction, such as high levels of
a
P-values are not significant. triglycerides and HOMA-IR. Approximately 50% of women
FGS, Ferriman–Gallwey score; FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone;
HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; HOMA-IR, homeostasis with PCOS are overweight or obese, and most have the ab-
model assessment for insulin resistance; LDL-C, low-density lipopro- dominal phenotype.22 WHR is used as a measurement of
tein cholesterol; LH, luteotrophic hormone; WHR, waist-to-hip ratio. obesity and indicator of central obesity, which, in turn, is a

Table 2. Characteristics after 6 Months of Treatment

Abdominal acupuncture group (n = 43) Metformin group (n = 43) p-Value for

difference
Variable Value Change (%) Value Change (%) between groups

BMI (kg/m2) 22.3 – 3.7* ** - 24 24.2 – 4.2* - 17 0.046

WHR 0.69 – 0.08* ** - 14 0.73 – 0.06* -9 0.044
FGS 4.8 – 1.6* - 27 5.6 – 2.2* - 16 > 0.05
Menstrual frequency (cycles/mo) 0.6 – 0.23* ** 100 0.46 – 0.21* 55 0.037
Ovarian volume (cm3) 8.9 – 2.8* - 19 9.8 – 3.6* - 18 > 0.05
FSH (mIU/mL) 5.6 – 1.4 -7 5.3 – 2.1 -5 > 0.05
LH (mIU/mL) 8.4 – 4.0* - 38 9.3 – 2.9* - 33 > 0.05
LH/FSH ratio 1.6 – 0.8* - 46 1.7 – 0.6* - 39 > 0.05
Testosterone (nmol/L) 1.9 – 0.8* - 37 2.4 – 0.6* - 17 > 0.05
Fasting blood glucose (mmol/L) 4.6 – 1.4* - 16 4.6 – 1.6* - 17 > 0.05
2-hour blood glucose (mmol/L) 4.0 – 1.0* - 35 4.2 – 1.2* - 29 > 0.05
Fasting insulin (mU/L) 8.7 – 3.7* - 30 8.6 – 4.4* - 36 > 0.05
Insulin (mU/L) 63.9 – 7.8* - 34 66.8 – 8.5* - 33 > 0.05
HOMA-IR 2.5 – 1.7* - 36 2.6 – 1.8* - 21 > 0.05
Total cholesterol (mmol/L) 3.9 – 1.1* - 24 4.0 – 1.1* - 21 > 0.05
Triglyceride (mmol/L) 1.9 – 0.9* - 32 2.0 – 0.8* - 26 > 0.05
LDL-C (mmol/L) 2.5 – 1.7* - 33 2.6 – 0.8* - 19 > 0.05
HDL-C (mmol/L) 1.6 – 0.4* 33 1.5 – 0.5* 36 > 0.05

*p < 0.05 (versus pretreatment value in each group).

**p < 0.05 (for comparison of the changes between the abdominal acupuncture and metformin groups at baseline and at 6 months of
treatment).
744
possible indicator of other, more serious health conditions.
WHRs > 0.9 in men and > 0.8 in women were associated with
a significant increase in many risk factors.23 At baseline in the
current study, the mean WHR in the two groups was > 0.8.
Metformin has been widely accepted as the therapeutic
option for women with PCOS; it is prescribed to correct the
characteristic metabolic and endocrine abnormalities (in-
cluding reducing luteinizing hormone and sex hormone–
binding globulin levels) and to ameliorate hyperinsulinemia
and hyperandrogenemia.5,24 Currently, metformin is one of
the main pharmacotherapeutic options in the treatment of
PCOS. As was seen in the current study, metformin exhibits
an apparent beneficial effect on weight reduction and im-
provement in ovarian function, as assessed by menstrual
frequency and testosterone production.8,25
Acupuncture is a nonpharmacologic treatment widely
used in complementary and alternative medicine to reduce
weight. It is also commonly used in reproductive endocri-
nology and fertility clinics.26,27 A meta-analysis of random-
ized controlled trials that evaluated the effect of various
types of acupuncture therapies suggested that acupuncture
is an effective alternative for treating obesity.28 In addition,
acupuncture significantly reduced BMI and abdominal adi-
pose tissue by reducing abdominal visceral adipose tissue.29
Weight loss may improve insulin sensitivity and ovarian
functions30,31 and enhance ovulation rates.32,33
The physiologic effects of acupuncture are reported to
result from neuromodulation that occurs after direct nerve
stimulation.34 Needling the acupoints may activate the pe-
ripheral afferent nerve fibers and receptors, resulting in re-
sponses from the peripheral, autonomic, and central nervous
system;35–37 in turn, this produces anti-inflammatory, neu-
roendocrine, and neuroimmune signals.38
PCOS is associated with peripheral and central factors that
influence sympathetic nerve activity.11 The sympathetic
nerves appear to be involved in controlling ovarian secretory
activity and are important regulators of ovarian function.
Some researchers found the greater density of catechol-
aminergic nerve fibers in polycystic ovaries.38,39 Acu-
puncture may regulate the ovarian responsiveness to
sympathetic inputs and overcome sympathetic-related ano-
vulation in women with PCOS.19 Some studies reported that
acupuncture increased ovulation (38%); significantly de-
creased BMI, WHR, and fasting insulin levels;40 and im-
proved high plasma b-endorphin levels and low hand
temperature by reducing sympathetic activity.41
The abdominal nerve plexus, a large plexus of sympa-
thetic nerves in the abdomen, is a part of the sympathetic
nervous system. Needling the acupoints located around the
abdomen may activate the peripheral nervous system and
stimulate the sympathetic nervous system via the abdomi-
nal nerve plexus. When needles are inserted into the skin
and muscle, exciting ergoreceptors and causing afferent
activity in Ad-, and C-fibers, they stimulate the same so-
matic innervation area as the ovaries; this decreases sym-
pathetic nerve activity, thereby leading to decreased
secretion of ovarian androgens.42 As shown in Table 2,
abdominal acupuncture and metformin can improve the
menstrual cycle and hormonal and metabolic profiles.
However, abdominal acupuncture was more effective than
metformin in improving menstrual frequency, BMI, and
WHR. This finding suggests that abdominal acupuncture
ZHENG ET AL.
may be more effective than metformin in restoring normal
ovarian function and reducing the central fat that tends to
accumulate in women with PCOS.43
The primary limitations of this study were the lack of
sham methods (such as placebo needles or superficial nee-
dling) and follow-up data. In addition, the study was not a
randomized, double-blind, controlled study because it is
difficult to blind both the participant and the practitioner to
acupuncture treatment. However, the authors are preparing
to conduct a well-designed randomized, double-blind, con-
trolled study.
Conclusion
This study showed abdominal acupuncture to be effective
in restoring the normal endocrine and metabolic function of
patients with obesity-type PCOS. Compared with metfor-
min, abdominal acupuncture improved menstrual fre-
quency, BMI, and WHR.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by Natural Science Foundation
of China (30701119) and Natural Science Foundation of
Guangdong Province (9151008901000050).
Disclosure Statement
No competing financial interests exist.
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Address correspondence to:
Hong-Xia Ma, MD
First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College
151 Yanjiang Road
Guangzhou 510120
China
Email: doctormaxia_1974@yahoo.com.cn
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