The current study was designed to test the efficacy of different materials used in an auricular
acupressure program on
weight reduction, changes to waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio. This study used a randomized design with two groups who were treated with auricular
acupressure using Semen Vaccariae or the Japanese Magnetic Pearl. Both groups consisted of Asian young adults with a waist circumference ≥ 80 cm in the females and ≥ 90 cm in the males. At completion of the eight-week treatment period, the total sample size was 56 young adults who ranged in age from 18 to 20 years old. Each participant was met with weekly for ten-minute sessions during which ear
acupressure treatment was performed. Sessions continued for eight weeks wherein both groups received
acupressure with the Japanese Magnetic Pearl or Semen Vaccariae on the ear
acupoints. While both groups showed significant reductions (p ≤ 0.05) to
body weight and waist circumference after eight weeks of treatments, the group treated with Semen Vaccariae group showed a more effective
weight loss over the short term. Given that auricular
acupressure is a safe and cost-effective treatment for
weight loss, our results suggest that auricular
acupressure is a reasonable option for the treatment of
overweight and
obesity in young adults.