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Multiple treatments with nonthermal focused ultrasound is safe, effective for fat reduction
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Multiple treatments with nonthermal focused ultrasound for noninvasive fat reduction was safe and effective, according to study results published in Dermatologic Surgery.
The multicenter study included a total of 150 patients divided into two groups. There were 131 women and 19 men with a mean age of 45 years (range, 18-65 years). Mean abdominal fat thickness was 2.7 cm (range, 1.5-5 cm), and the mean horizontal midline circumference was 95.1 cm at baseline. Mean patient measurements included height (164.9 cm), weight (69.6 kg) and BMI (25.5 kg/m2).
Group 1 contained 118 patients who participated in a 4-week control phase before undergoing three treatments over 4 weeks, at 2-week intervals. Group 2 contained 32 patients who began the 4-week treatment immediately. Abdominal circumference was measured every 2 weeks for the first 10 weeks, then every 4 weeks until final follow-up at 22 weeks.
Most patients (n = 126) completed all treatments and follow-up study visits. At 22 weeks, group 1 had a mean midline abdominal circumference reduction of 2.5 cm, and group 2 had a mean reduction of 3.5 cm. According to the researchers, the abdominal circumference of study subjects steadily decreased following device treatment, with minimal change during the control phase.
Patient satisfaction and report of pain were assessed using questionnaires. Satisfaction was rated on an increasing Likert scale of 1 to 5 and mean scores at weeks 14, 18 and 22 of follow-up were 3.2 or higher. Using a 10-point visual analog pain scale, the mean scores ranged between 1.3 and 1.9 in group 1 and between 1.4 and 1.6 in group 2.
Complications, such as mild erythema, abdominal pain, or heat sensation, occurred in several subjects, but were mild to moderate in severity and patients recovered or improved without medical intervention.
“Nonthermal focused ultrasound is both a safe and effective treatment modality for the noninvasive reduction in abdominal circumference through fat cell destruction” the researchers wrote. “The modality can be a useful esthetic tool with a more favorable risk–benefit profile to minimize the risks, discomfort, and downtime associated with surgical treatment and other noninvasive options.” – by Talitha Bennett
Disclosure: The researchers report receiving study equipment from their sponsor and financial support for conducting the study from Syneron.
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