# Weight loss effects of non-pharmacological interventions in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

## TL;DR

This study compares non-drug methods for weight loss in women with PCOS and finds that diet, Tai Chi, and aerobic exercise are most effective.

## Contribution

The study identifies the most effective non-pharmacological interventions for weight loss in PCOS patients using network meta-analysis.

## Key findings

- Nutritional supplements + low-calorie diet ranked best for weight loss outcomes.
- Taichi was among the top interventions for multiple weight-related metrics.
- Continuous aerobic exercise and Taichi showed significant clinical advantages.

## Abstract

To compare the effectiveness of non-pharmacologic interventions in improving weight loss management in overweight patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Five databases, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science and China Knowledge, were searched for this study. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the risk of bias of eligible studies. The included randomized controlled trials were subjected to traditional meta-analysis (TMA) and network meta-analysis (NMA), and the cumulative number of surfaces under the ranking curve (SUCRA) was calculated for each intervention to derive the optimal intervention.

The study ultimately included 29 articles involving 22 different interventions and 1,565 patients. The results of the NMA showed that the optimal intervention for the four outcome measures (body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR)) was nutritional supplement + low-calorie diet, Taichi, continuous aerobic exercise and Taichi.

Current evidence suggests that nutritional supplements + hypocaloric diet; Taichi; continuous aerobic exercise have the greatest clinical advantage in weight loss and deserve to be promoted in the clinic. One of the best interventions for both outcome indicators, Taichi, suggests that it may be a common misconception that simply increasing the intensity of exercise is not the only way to lose weight and improve health.