Effects of Acupuncture on Body Mass Index in Overweight and Obese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS )

The rationale of the active acupuncture protocol is based on Western Medical Acupuncture theories and follows CONSORT and STRICTA protocols. All patients received acupuncture treatment for 30 minutes three times a week, with a maximum of 48 acupuncture treatments.

In the sham acupuncture protocol, 2 needles were inserted superficially to a depth of less than 5 mm, 1 in each shoulder and 1 in each upper arm at nonacupuncture and non-meridian points, and then, 4 needles were attached to electrodes and the stimulator was turned on to mimic the active acupuncture but with zero intensity, no electrical stimulation. They also received the treatment for 30 minutes three times a week and a maximum of 48 treatments.

"All women will receive lifestyle management before randomization after baseline measurements. The lifestyle management assisted by a PCOS lifestyle management system (Invention patent, ZL 2015 1 0500978.9).~All participants will get a step-counter for daily use and physical exercise diary for daily reporting of exercise: number of steps, type of activity, intensity and time (minutes). Once a week each participant receive a SMS in which they report the activity during the week."