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World J Clin Cases. May 6, 2026; 14(13): 119563
Published online May 6, 2026. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v14.i13.119563
Published online May 6, 2026. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v14.i13.119563
Acupuncture-induced fat thickness reduction in different body regions: A case report and review of literature
Jun-Yi Guan, Cong-Yi Xie, Zi-Mu Li, Shuai-Yan Wang, En-He Zhao, Xin-Yue Lu, Tian-Cheng Xu, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China
Meng-Ying Zhao, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China
Yan-Cai Li, Meng-Qian Yuan, Department of Acupuncture, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
Co-first authors: Jun-Yi Guan and Meng-Ying Zhao.
Co-corresponding authors: Meng-Qian Yuan and Tian-Cheng Xu.
Author contributions: Guan JY and Zhao MY conceptualized and designed this case analysis; Guan JY, Zhao MY, Xie CY, Li ZM, Wang SY, and Zhao EH collectively drafted the initial manuscript; and all authors reviewed and approved the final version; Guan JY was responsible for defining the core issues and analyzing the case data, while Zhao MY contributed to the construction of the analytical framework and literature review. Guan JY and Zhao MY played critical and indispensable roles in drafting the core content and coordinating the writing process, qualifying them as cofirst authors of this work. Lu XY was responsible for the initial collection and organization of the case data. Xu TC, Yuan MQ and Li YC focused on ensuring the academic rigor and depth of the case analysis, taking primary responsibility for academic supervision, coordinating feedback from all authors on revisions, leading responses to reviewer comments during the submission process, and guiding further improvements to the manuscript, thereby ensuring its academic quality and compliance with publication standards. Xu TC and Yuan MQ served as corresponding authors, overseeing quality control, enhancing academic depth, and coordinating the finalization of the manuscript.
Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation, Youth Science Fund Project, No. 82305376 and No. 81904290; the Youth Talent Support Project of the China Acupuncture and Moxibustion Association, No. 2024-2026ZGZJXH-QNRC005; the Training Program for Excellent Young Doctor Candidates of Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 20230B0136; the 2025 Jiangsu Province Postgraduate Research and Innovation Program, No. SJCX25_1008; the Fifth Training Program for Excellent Clinical Talents of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Jiangsu Province, No. JS-TCM-Edu[2025]9; and Talent Cultivation Program for Young Researchers (Category A), Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education Project, No. zyqt202501.
Informed consent statement: Informed written consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Corresponding author: Tian-Cheng Xu, MD, PhD, Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 138 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China. xtc@njucm.edu.cn
Received: February 3, 2026
Revised: March 8, 2026
Accepted: March 24, 2026
Published online: May 6, 2026
Processing time: 83 Days and 1.9 Hours
Revised: March 8, 2026
Accepted: March 24, 2026
Published online: May 6, 2026
Processing time: 83 Days and 1.9 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: This study reports a case of a 35-year-old male (180 cm, 122.5 kg, body mass index 37.8 kg/m2, waist circumference 125.4 cm) who received thrice-weekly acupuncture for 8 weeks. Ultrasonography showed significant reductions in his subcutaneous and visceral fat, with visceral fat loss being more pronounced. Waist circumference, visceral fat thickness, Chinese visceral adiposity index and visceral fat volume all decreased notably. This case suggests that acupuncture not only induces weight loss but also preferentially reduces harmful visceral fat, directly targeting a key risk factor for metabolic diseases.