Effect and Safety of Calorie Restriction and Complex Herbal Medicine Short-term Treatment (‘Oil-rescue’ Program) for Weight Reduction of Obesity or Overweight Patients: A Practice Based Research

Abstract

Objectives: This study is a practice based research conducted to investigate the effectiveness and safety of a 5-day short-term diet program (‘Oil-rescue’ program) designed to reduce the adverse events and initial dropout rate in obesity treatment. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 4 Korean medicine clinic patient data who completed ‘Oil-rescue’ program which is consisting of Gambi-hwan, Bium-hwan, Butgiban-hwan and Jayoon Kyungokgo. The weight change before and after participating ‘Oil-rescue’ program was primary outcome of our study. Changes in body mass index, body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, body water content, lean body mass, protein, and minerals were also measured. Results: A total of 35 patients who satisfied the eligible criteria were finally included. The body weight decreased from 69.45±11.86 kg to 67.43±11.58 kg, a total of 2.02±1.03 kg (P<0.001). Body fat mass decreased from 25.77±7.45 kg to 24.98±7.26 kg, a total of 0.78±1.21 kg (P<0.001). Body mass index decreased from 26.39±3.64 kg/m2 to 25.64±3.49 kg/m2 , a total of 0.75±0.41 kg/m2 . (P<0.001). A total of 15 patients had side effects such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and insomnia, but all were mild. 16 out of 35 people switched to long-term obesity treatment programs. Conclusions: Through this retrospective practice based research, it was found that the ‘Oil-rescue’ program effectively reduced body weight, body fat, and body mass index, and the other obesity related parameters. It was a relatively safe and effective short-term obesity treatment program.