Transcutaneous electrical stimulation of acupoints changes body composition and heart rate variability in postmenopausal women with obesity

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulations (TEAS) on body composition and heart rate variability (HRV) in postmenopausalwomenwith obesity. In this prospective study, 49 postmenopausalwomenwere recruited in Taiwan. Body composition was used as a screening test for obesity (percentage body fat > 30%, waist circumference > 80 cm). The experimental group (n = 24) received TEAS treatment 30min twice per week for 12 weeks at the Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) acupoints. The control group (n = 25) did not receive any intervention. The study of HRV was analyzed by time (standard deviation of the normal-to-normal (NN) intervals (SDNN) and square root of the mean squared differences of successive NN intervals (RMSSD) indices) and frequency domainmethods. Power spectral components were obtained at low (LF) and high (HF) frequencies. Body composition and HRV values were measured at the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks. A total of 40 subjects completed this study.Waist circumference and percentage body fat in the experimental group (n = 20) were significantly less than those of the control group (n = 20) at the 8th and 12th weeks (all P < .05). Additionally, at the same time points, percentage lean body mass in the experimental group was significantly greater than that in the control group (P < .05). SDNN values increased significantly at the 4th and 8th weeks when compared with the control group (all P < .05). At 12 weeks, SDNN value was not significantly different from that of the control group (P = .105). TEAS treatment improves body composition, and has a transient effect on the HRV in postmenopausal women with obesity.