Retraction Note to: Randomized controlled trial testing weight loss and abdominal obesity outcomes of moxibustion.

The Editors-in-Chief have retracted this article [1] because, after publication, concerns were raised regarding the study design and statistical analysis. Post-publication review has confirmed firstly that within-group changes were highlighted rather than between-group differences as appropriate for a randomized trial, and secondly that there are baseline differences between the groups that exist despite randomization for which analyses were not controlled. The data reported in this article are therefore unreliable. Ching-Hsiu Hsieh and Pei-Ying Chuang agree with this retraction. Chi-Chuan Tseng and Ju-Yu Shen have not responded to any correspondence from the publisher about this retraction.

Randomized controlled trial testing weight loss and abdominal obesity outcomes of moxibustion.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of moxibustion therapy on weight loss, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio in young adult females. An experimental design, 51 Asian females were enrolled. Inclusion criteria included females with ages between 21 and 25 years-old and waist circumference ≥ 80 cm, and the exclusion criteria included intolerance to moxibustion therapy and current illness. Two groups were formed, and the subjects in the experimental group received moxibustion sessions lasting 20 min and an educational video program for 30 min; however, participants in the control group received only the educational program every other week for 8 weeks. Dependent variable measurements (e.g., body weight, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio) were collected at baseline and follow-up for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Average body weight of the treatment group decreased significantly from - 1.478 kg (p < 0.0001), while the average body weight in the control group did not decrease significantly - 0.038 kg (p = 0.7197). Also, individuals in the moxibustion experimental group showed significant reductions (p < 0.0001) in both waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio. CONCLUSION: Positive effects on anthropometry can be achieved by moxibustion intervention in conjunction with a weight loss education program. Especially waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio had more clinically significant and more pronounced for health reasons Future studies can focus on the functional assessment of biomarkers associated with the immune system and relevant mechanisms of action.