Table 1 Summary of clinical studies reviewed in this review.

Kim et al [8]

Korea (Korean)

HA: −(24)[—]

CTL: −(28)[—]

HA: 43.42 ± 11.18 (20–68)

CTL: 46.57 ± 13.37

(20~68)

BMI > 25

HA decoction: Ephedra sinica & Aconitum carmichaeli

Acupoint: ST25, CV4, CV6, GB26

Dose: 0.5 mL for each acupoint

Treatment: twice a wk for 5 wk.

(Normal saline was injected for CTL group.)

Dietary therapy, electroacupuncture therapy, herbal therapy, exercise education were applied equally in both groups.

BMI

BW

WC

RCT single-blind

HA group showed a significant decrease in BMI, BW, WC than CTL group.

Lee et al [12]

Korea (Korean)

HA: 16 (16)[0]

CTL: 15 (15)[0]

NA (16–35)

BMI ≥ 25 Female

HA decoction: Bangkihwangkitang decoction Acupoint: BL23, BL52, ST25

Dose: 0.2 mL for each acupoint

Treatment: 8 times for 3 wk (No injection was performed for CTL group.)

Dietary therapy, physiotherapy, colonic irrigation, auricular acupuncture therapy, & electrostimulation therapy were applied equally in both groups.

BMI, percentage of body fat, skeletal muscle mass, basal metabolic rate, TC, TG, HDL, LDL, BUN, Creatinine, AST, ALT

-

BMI & percentage of body fat were significantly decreased in both groups. Skeletal muscle mass & basal metabolic rate had significantly increased in only HA group.

Cha [9]

Korea (Korean)

HA: 21 (21)[0]

CTL: 21 (21)[0]

HA: 35.5

CTL: 36.5

Female Spleen qi deficiency syndrome

HA decoction: Bigiheo decoction

Acupoint: 9 to 10 acupoints including CV12, CV10, CV4, ST25

Dose: 0.2 mL for each acupoint

Treatment: twice a wk for > 3 wk.

(No injection was performed for CTL group.)

Dietary therapy, behavioral therapy, electroacupuncture therapy, auricular acupuncture therapy, herbal therapy, exercise education were applied equally in both groups

WHR, WC, non-fat mass, BMI

-

HA group showed a significantly greater decrease in WHR & WC. Change of non-fat mass, BMI showed no significant difference between two groups.

Lee et al. [10

Korea (Korean)

HA: 20 (18)[2]

CTL: 20 (18)[2]

NA (20–55)

BMI ≥ 25

WC ≥ 85cm

Pre-menopausal women

HA decoction: Sobieum decoction

Acupoint: No-specific acupoint. Abdomen.

Dose: 4 mL

Treatment: twice a wk for 6 wk.

(Normal saline was injected for CTL group.)

Dietary therapy (1,200 kcal/d), physical therapy (30 min walking, 3 times a wk) were prescribed for both groups.

BW, WC, body fat mass, total fat area, visceral fat area, subcutaneous fat area, blood pressure, FBS, TC, TG, HDL, FFA, KEAT-26, BPAQ, SRRS, SRI, BDI, SES

RCT single-blind

BW, WC, BMI, body fat mass, total fat area, visceral fat area, &superficial subcutaneous fat area were significantly decreased in both groups. Deep subcutaneous fat area was decreased significantly only in the HA group.

Only HA group showed a significant correlation between visceral fat area & total fat area reduction.