Synergistic intervention effect of aerobic exercise combined with auricular point sticking on ectopic fat deposition in patients with impaired glucose tolerance

ZHAO Jun; LOU Qingqing; LI Qingyao; FENG Jitao

doi:10.12102/j.issn.1009-6493.2026.06.021

Abstract：Objective:To evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise combined with auricular point sticking therapy on ectopic fat deposition in pancreatic,liver,and muscle tissues in patients with impaired glucose tolerance.Methods:A total of 140 patients with impaired glucose tolerance in Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine and Pukou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to China Pharmaceutical University were selected as the study subjects from December 2021 to October 2023.They were randomly divided into four groups using a random number table,namely the aerobic exercise group,the auricular point sticking group,the combined intervention group,and the control group,with 35 patients in each group.The control group received routine management.The aerobic exercise group received structured exercise intervention in addition to routine management.The auricular point sticking group received auricular point sticking therapy in addition to routine management.The combined intervention group received both structured exercise intervention and auricular point sticking therapy in addition to routine management.Before the intervention and after 6 months of intervention,the patients'glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),liver proton density fat fraction(PDFF),pancreatic fat fraction(PFF),psoas muscle fat fraction,and visceral adipose tissue(VAT)volume were measured.Results:A total of 106 patients were finally included,with 24 in the aerobic exercise group,28 in the auricular point sticking group,22 in the combined intervention group,and 32 in the control group.The intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)for the abdominal fat measurement indicators ranged from 0.812 to 0.897(all P<0.001).After 6 months of intervention,there were statistically significant differences in terms of HbA1c,VAT,PDFF,PFF,and psoas muscle fat fraction among the four groups(all P<0.05).Factorial analysis results showed that aerobic exercise and auricular point sticking had synergistic effects on improving HbA1c,PDFF,and PFF(all P<0.05).Conclusions:Aerobic exercise combined with auricular point sticking can synergistically reduce PDFF and PFF levels in patients with impaired glucose tolerance,and improve HbA1c.It has great significance in delaying the progression of impaired glucose tolerance and preventing diabetes.