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In a groundbreaking development, researchers from South Korea have proposed a novel approach to tackling obesity through brain electrical stimulation, which may represent a new frontier in weight management. This emerging method, based on a technique known as transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), aims to suppress appetite by stimulating the cerebral cortex, offering potential relief to millions struggling with obesity—a growing global health crisis.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately one in eight people worldwide is overweight, underscoring the urgency of finding effective and safe treatments for obesity. Traditional methods, including pharmaceutical drugs and injections, often carry the risk of significant side effects, particularly when used long-term. The study, conducted by the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) and Seoul National University Hospital, provides a glimpse into a less invasive alternative that could reshape obesity management.
The clinical trial involved 60 female participants, with 30 receiving the tRNS treatment and 30 placed in a sham group. Over the course of two weeks, the participants underwent six sessions of electrical stimulation, each lasting 20 minutes, with intervals of two to three days between sessions. The stimulation was administered through the scalp using commercially available electrical stimulators, delivering a barely perceptible current of 2 mA.
Results from the trial were promising. The group treated with tRNS exhibited significant reductions in appetite, hunger, and the willingness to eat compared to the placebo group. Moreover, the technology appeared to address emotional eating, a common challenge for many individuals with obesity. Emotional eating, often triggered by stress, depression, anxiety, or even joy, was notably diminished among those receiving the brain stimulation.
While the two-week trial did not establish long-term weight loss outcomes, participants reported a marked decrease in appetite, suggesting potential for sustained benefits with further research and application. Dr. Ki-young Shin of the Human Care Electro-Medical Device Research Center at KERI emphasized that the technology is still in its early stages and requires additional validation. However, Dr. Shin expressed optimism about its future, stating, “If this electrostimulation treatment equipment, with far fewer side effects than existing obesity treatments, is commercialized and can be used at home instead of in hospitals, it will provide an easy and simple method for daily appetite suppression management.”
As obesity continues to rise worldwide, innovations like tRNS could offer new hope for individuals seeking safe and effective ways to manage their weight. Further studies are expected to explore the long-term efficacy of this approach, potentially paving the way for its integration into mainstream obesity treatment options.
