Systematic Review Of Effectiveness Of Auricular Application Pressure Treatment For Childhood Simple Obesity

[Objective] The aim of the systematic review is to evaluate the effectiveness of auricular application pressure treatment for childhood simple obesity.[Methods] We searched searched articles published in CBM, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang Data by using descriptor "children, simple obesity, auricular application pressure, auricular-plaster therapy". Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. We also evaluated the quality of studies that involved randomization, blinding and allocation concealment. Weighted mean difference (WMD) between continuos variables was calculated. All effect values were expressed by95%confidence intervals (CI). Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.0software.[Results] Four RCTs involving312patients were included. Among them, one study adopted random number table and three studies mentioned random grouping but not describe definite method of randomized allocation and allocation concealment. One of the three studies referred to randomization and double blinded, and in another measures and test were made at double blinded. Two studies (100cases) reported the body mass index (BMI),[SMD=-0.61,95%CI(-1.01,-0.21), P=0.003]; Three studies (252cases) reported patients’weight,[SMD=-3.38,95%CI(-5.68,-4.41), P=0.004]; Three studies reported the patients’height,[SMD=0.02,95%CI(-0.24,0.27), P=0.89]. Meta-analysis showed that auricular application pressure can reduce childhood simple obesity and BMI and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.1), but this therapy did not affect children’s weight and the difference was not statistically significant.[Conclusion] Auricular application pressure is definitely effective in treating childhood obesity and can reduce BMI and patients’height. Meanwhile, it does not have side-effect on children’s natural growth. Therefor, auricular application pressure is a safe, non-invasive and easy way for children to lose weight. However, limited literature can be included, so the quality of this study is relatively low and existing evidence is insufficient to draw a completely definite conclusion.