Suture Length Effects in Acupoint Implantation for Abdominal Obesity

Obesity is a metabolic disorder and has become a global health issue with a steadily increasing prevalence. According to the Health Promotion Administration's statistical report, the overweight and obesity rate among adults in Taiwan was 50.3% between 2017 and 2020. Based on the Ministry of Health and Welfare's criteria, a BMI ≥27 kg/m² is classified as obese. Studies have shown that acupuncture can effectively reduce body weight with low cost and minimal side effects. Acupoint catgut embedding is a treatment method that combines traditional meridian acupuncture with modern medical materials by implanting surgical sutures into acupoints to provide continuous stimulation. A 2022 systematic review found that catgut embedding is more effective than traditional acupuncture, requires fewer treatment sessions, and has a high safety profile. However, no studies have yet investigated whether different lengths of implanted surgical sutures affect treatment outcomes. This study is a single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial aimed at identifying the optimal suture length for acupoint catgut embedding, in order to enhance its efficiency and therapeutic effect.