The Effects of Auricular Acupressure Therapy on Obesity and Sleep in Korean Middle-Aged Women: A Randomized Single-Blind Sham-Controlled Trial

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of auricular acupressure therapy on obesity and sleep quality in middle-aged Korean women. The single-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial included participants aged 40–65 years with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25–34 kg/m², divided into an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 29). The intervention involved 8 weeks of auricular acupressure using ear seeds on five acupoints associated with obesity and sleep. Obesity outcomes were assessed using anthropometric indices (body weight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat mass, body fat percentage), while sleep outcomes were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and actigraphy. Measurements were taken thrice: before the intervention, and at 4 and 8 weeks post-intervention start. The experimental group demonstrated a significant reduction in obesity measures and improvement in sleep quality over time compared to the control group. The findings suggest that auricular acupressure may serve as an alternative nursing intervention for managing obesity and improving sleep quality in middle-aged women.