The clinical evaluation of electroacupuncture combined with mindfulness meditation in the weight management

INTERVENTION: All randomised participants will have one treatment session per week for a period of 12 weeks and a 4 week follow up period. Electroacupuncture (EA) The intervention consists of 12 weekly sessions, each session includes EA treatment with 30 mins needles retention EA point selection includes Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Tianshu (ST25), Zhongwan (CV12), Fenglong (ST40), Guanyuan (CV4), Qihai (CV6), Yinlingquan (SP9). The location of the acupuncture points will follow the standard point location in western Pacific region published by WHO (World Health Organization, 2008). Stainless steel single‐use disposable needles (Huato, Suzhou Medical Instrument Factory, China) will be used and the needles are sterilised, individually packed with a length of 40 mm. Skin sterilisation will be performed by applying 70% isopropyl alcohol swab to the area. All acupuncture points will be needled perpendicularly with guide tube. Insertion depth will be approximately 25 mm, depending on the location of individual points. Each point will be connected to an electro‐stimulator continuous wave at a frequency of 30 Hz. All needles will be removed after 30 minutes of electro‐stimulation. A registered acupuncturist will be responsible for administering the EA treatments; they will also be responsible for recording each treatment into the participant’s treatment logbook. The details of the logbook include date, time, the duration of the treatment, practice of mindfulness meditation, adverse event and signed by the acupuncturist. Mindfulness Meditation The mindfulness meditation (MM) intervention involved practising a 10‐minutes pre‐recorded mindfulness meditation after each acupuncture treatment. They will also be instructed to self‐practise mindfulness meditation daily at their own time, and be given a logbook to record the frequency and duration of their self‐practised mindfulness meditation. This MM is adapted from the MB‐EAT program which developed by Jean Kristeller (Kristeller & Hallett, 1999). It is a sitting meditation to be practised in individual settings, which requires participants to focus on their awareness through breathing, and the audio will be recorded by a registered psychologist. A copy of the mindfulness meditation information and instruction booklet will be given to the participants in the first treatment session. The booklet will explain what mindfulness meditation is, and provides clear instruction for practising mindfulness meditation. CONDITION: Obesity Overweight SECONDARY OUTCOME: Psychological influence on food intake by using Power of food Scale Quality of life by using obesity and weight loss quality of life (OWL‐QOL) Quality of life related to weight: Weight‐related symptom measure (WRSM) ; INCLUSION CRITERIA: Being overweight (BMI greater or equal to 25) Adult, with age between 18 and 60. Be available during the period of this clinical trial PRIMARY OUTCOME: Change in BMI, BMI is calculated by Body weight (in Kg) divided by the square of body height in metre. The measurements will be taken at RMIT University Chinese Medicine Research Laboratory, Body height will be measured using a body height measuring tape while a balance scale will be used for measuring the body weight. Change in Body weight will be assessed. Where it will be measured by a balance scale located at RMIT University Chinese Medicine Research Laboratory. Change in waist and hip ratio. Where the measurements will take place at RMIT University Chinese Medicine Research Laboratory. Waist circumference will be measured at the midpoint between the lower margin of the rib and the superior border of the iliac crest. Hip circumference will be measured from the widest point of the buttocks, and the measuring tape is to be kept parallel to the floor.