Auricular Acupuncture in the Treatment of Obesity

Male and female DoD beneficiaries ages 18 years or older, who are referred for a standard of care weight loss intervention for treatment of obesity will be recruited. Subjects will be randomized into one of two groups receiving either a standard of care weight loss intervention plus auricular acupuncture at Shen Men, Point Zero, and Appetite Control Point/Hunger Point or receiving a standard of care weight loss intervention plus sham auricular acupuncture. Subjects will receive treatment in accordance with their randomization group for 12 weeks then have one additional follow up visit at week 24. The following measures will be obtained: height, weight, waist circumference, and Body Mass Index will be calculated.

THIS STUDY IS BEING CONDUCTED AT A MILITARY INSTALLATION. YOU MUST HAVE MILITARY INSURANCE IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS STUDY. Inclusion: Male and female DoD beneficiaries, aged 18 years or older, with a Body Mass Index of 30 or greater who were referred to a standard of care weight loss intervention Exclusion: Pregnant women Patients who are taking weight loss medication Uncontrolled hypothyroidism Absence of their ear Active cellulitis of their ear Ear anatomy precluding identification of acupuncture landmarks and use of hearing aids that preclude the insertion of needles