Lorna Kwai Ping SUEN
School of Nursing, Tung Wah College
Hong Kong
Abstract Title:
Auricular acupressure with smartphone support for weight reduction in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomised pilot study
Biography:
Professor Lorna Suen, Dean and Professor of the School of Nursing at Tung Wah College, specializes in complementary and alternative therapies—particularly auricular therapy and diagnosis—along with infection control and elderly care interventions. She has published over 190 international papers, 10 book chapters, and 120 conference abstracts. Recognized among Stanford University’s top 2% of scientists for five consecutive years, the 2025 Stanford report ranked her among the world’s top 73 researchers in complementary and alternative medicine out of 13,973 scholars, underscoring her lasting contributions to research and societal well-being.
Research Interests:
Background: Obesity and metabolic syndrome are increasing globally, creating major socioeconomic challenges. Conventional treatments such as medication and surgery often cause adverse effects. This pilot study examined the efficacy and feasibility of a self-administered auricular acupressure intervention supported by a smartphone application for individuals with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Methods: A two-arm randomized clinical trial was conducted at Family Medicine and Primary Healthcare clinics in the Hong Kong West Cluster. Participants were randomly assigned to a self-administered auricular acupressure group with smartphone support or a usual care group. In the intervention group, patients received Traditional Chinese Medicine syndrome differentiation, and hypoallergenic Vaccariae Semen ear patches were applied by a researcher. Participants were instructed to stimulate prescribed auricular points three times daily and to use the mobile app for self-monitoring. The intervention lasted eight weeks, with follow-up one month post-treatment. The control group received usual care only. Results: Ninety participants (48 experimental, 42 control) completed the study. The mean BMI was 31.67 (SD = 5.23), with central obesity indicated by a mean waist circumference of 102.51 cm (SD = 11.61). Generalized Estimating Equations analysis showed significant between-group differences in waist circumference reduction at 1 month (–1.71 cm, p = 0.048) and appetite changes before lunch (–1.247, p = 0.002) and dinner (–1.423, p < 0.001). Compliance with acupoint pressing was high (77.8%), and the dropout rate was low (5%, 8/159). Keywords: Auricular acupressure, smartphone, weight reduction, metabolic syndrome, randomised controlled trial
