Auricular Acupressure Integrated With a Smartphone Application for Weight Reduction
Launched by TUNG WAH COLLEGE · Dec 17, 2024
Trial Information
Current as of July 21, 2025
Not yet recruiting
Keywords
ClinConnect Summary
This clinical trial is studying a new method to help people lose weight by using a technique called auricular acupressure, which involves placing small patches on the ear. Participants will use a smartphone app to remind them to press on these patches daily. The trial aims to find out if this method is effective in reducing weight and improving health in individuals who are obese and have related health issues, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
To join the study, participants need to be at least 18 years old, have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, and meet certain health criteria related to metabolic syndrome. They should not have any eating disorders or be taking specific medications that affect weight. During the trial, participants will wear the ear patches and visit the clinic twice a week for 8 weeks to receive new patches. This study will help researchers understand if this approach can make a real difference in weight loss and overall health.
Gender
ALL
Eligibility criteria
- Inclusion Criteria:
- • 1. age ≥ 18 years;
- • 2. Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 and /or abdominal obesity (i.e., central obesity), that is, male waist circumference ≥ 90cm while female waist circumference ≥ 80cm;
- • 3. fulfils diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome with any two or more of the following: (a) blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mmHg and/ or confirmed diagnosis of hypertension with treatment; (b) fasting blood glucose ≥ 100 mg/dl (5.6 mmol/L) and/ or confirmed diagnosis of diabetes with treatment; (c) fasting triglyceride ≥ 150 mg/dl (1.7 mmol/L) and/ or received specific treatment on dyslipidaemia; (d) fasting high-density lipoprotein (HDL) \< 40mg/dl (\< 1.03mmol/L) in male; \< 50mg/dl (\< 1.29 mmol/L) and/ or received specific treatment on dyslipidaemia; These standards are based on the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome from the World Health Organisation (1999), the International Diabetes Federation Criteria (2005), and the Chinese Diabetes Society (2000);
- • 4. are taking medications and receiving follow-up medical consultation \[Note: With the consent of the participants, the researchers (i.e., the RCA and the RA) will verify relevant medical records in the follow-up appointments\];
- • 5. taken no weight control measures in the past 6 months;
- • 6. has no trauma, inflammation or pathological lesion on ears;
- • 7. is a smartphone user.
- Exclusion Criteria:
- • 1. has any eating disorder (screened by the 5-item SCOFF questionnaire);
- • 2. has drug-induced obesity;
- • 3. is pregnant;
- • 4. has cognitive impairment (Abbreviated Mental Test (Hong Kong version), AMT score below 6 (less than or equal to 5) will be excluded.);
- • 5. has cancer; or
- • 6. has a severe body disability, such as hemiplegia, that may prevent following instructions to use the smartphone.
- • 7. is planning to have weight-reduction treatment(s) (such as medications targeted for weight reduction, and bariatric surgery) in the coming 6 months.
- 8. is taking the following medications that potentially affect the body weight:
- • Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone and dexamethasone)
- • Second generation antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine, clozapine, quetiapine and risperidone)
- • Levothyroxine
- • FDA-approved medications for obesity or weight loss (e.g., phentermine, diethylpropion, phendimetrazine, phentermine + topiramate extended release (ER), naltrexone + bupropion ER, orlistat, liraglutide, semaglutide and GLP-1 (liraglutide/ semaglutide) + tirzepatide)
About Tung Wah College
Tung Wah College is a distinguished higher education institution based in Hong Kong, dedicated to advancing health sciences and enhancing community well-being through innovative research and education. As a clinical trial sponsor, Tung Wah College leverages its academic expertise and commitment to evidence-based practice to facilitate rigorous clinical research aimed at addressing pressing health challenges. The college actively collaborates with healthcare professionals, researchers, and community stakeholders to ensure that its trials are conducted ethically and effectively, contributing valuable insights to the medical field and improving patient outcomes.
Contacts
Jennifer Cobb
Immunology at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Locations
Hong Kong, , Hong Kong
Hong Kong, , Hong Kong
Patients applied
Timeline
First submit
Trial launched
Trial updated
Estimated completion
Not reported