Effects of radiofrequency on adipose tissue: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Rotational radiofrequency-based technology leads to adipose tissue reduction and contouring effect in the thighs, abdomen, and flanks

BACKGROUND

Excess body adiposity and skin irregularities represent a major problem in today's society. Currently, radiofrequency-based devices constitute an increasingly popular medical-aesthetic application and a powerful non-invasive method to combat this problem.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine the efficacy and safety of the high-frequency device Zionic™ (Termosalud, Inc., Gijón, Spain) in reducing body contouring and improving skin appearance in the abdomen/flanks or thighs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty nine individuals were treated with the Zionic™ device in the abdomen/flanks or thighs. A total of 8 sessions of 40-50 min each, 72/96 h apart were performed. At baseline, body measurements were taken including photographs, body contours, and ultrasound scans to assess dermal thickness, dermal echogenicity, and subcutaneous fat thickness. The measurements were repeated after the eight sessions for comparison and analysis. Quantitative data was complemented with a customized survey to evaluate participants satisfaction level.

RESULTS

At the follow-up visit, a significant average reduction of 3% in abdomen/flanks circumferences and 2% in thighs contours was noticed. Abdomen/flanks and thighs subcutaneous fat layer thickness was significantly reduced by 8% and 6%, respectively. Dermal echogenicity changes, related to skin collagen content and organization, showed non-significant increasing tendencies of 7% for abdomen/flanks and 8% for thighs. Thighs dermal thickness was significantly increased by 6%. Results were associated to a high satisfaction level (80%) and no severe adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Zionic™ treatment is a safe, effective, and well-tolerated noninvasive procedure for body contouring and improvement of skin properties in abdomen, flanks, and thighs.

Three-dimensional analysis for measuring volumetric changes after a noninvasive treatment performed with a new system delivering microwave energy for unwanted abdominal fat reduction

BACKGROUND

A growing demand for aesthetic treatments for localized abdominal unwanted fat has developed as a healthy lifestyle is not always able to improve abdomen appearance.

AIMS

The purpose of this retrospective nonrandomized observational study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new device delivering microwaves energy for unwanted fat reduction, using three-dimensional (3D) imaging analysis.

METHODS

Twenty patients (both female and male) were treated in the abdominal area. Subjects received 4 treatments with the study device. Follow-up evaluations were conducted to estimate safety and efficacy. A Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was used for pain assessment. Patient's 3D imaging analysis was performed at baseline and at 3 months follow-up. Finally, a satisfaction questionnaire was filled in by all the patients.

RESULTS

All subjects completed the whole cycle of treatments and presented for the follow-up visits. Analysis of 3D imaging yielded a significantly reduction in circumference (cm) and volume (cm3 ), passing, respectively, from 85.2 ± 8.1 cm and 1950.6 ± 471.0 cm3 at baseline to 80.8 ± 8.2 cm and 1728.9 ± 490.9 cm3 (p < 0.001) at 3-months follow-up after the last treatment. According to the NRS results, the treatment was well tolerated. From the analysis of the satisfaction questionnaire the 90% of patients are interested in carrying out the same treatment in other body areas.

CONCLUSION

With the use of three-dimensional imaging techniques, the efficacy of a new system delivering microwaves energy for the reduction of abdominal volume correlated to a subdermal fat reduction while preserving/improving skin tightening, was quantitatively and objectively demonstrated.

Comparison of the effects of shock waves versus radiofrequency on abdominal lipolysis: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

High levels of abdominal adiposity mean higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Aerobic exercise per si reduces the risk of developing this type of diseases. Radiofrequency and shockwave therapy showed to be effective in the reduction of localized abdominal fat.

AIM (S)

To compare the effects of prescribed moderate aerobic exercise associated with 6 sessions of shockwave therapy or radiofrequency, in the subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue, in overweight female individuals in fertile age.

METHODS

Randomized clinical trial, with 30 volunteers in fertile age with overweight and/or obese, randomly and equitably allocated in two experimental groups (1-shockwave therapy and 2-radiofrequency) and one control group. Aerobic physical exercise was prescribed to all groups. The values of anthropometric measurements were measured in two moments. The intervention protocol was performed in a clinic for six weeks, with one session per week. The ANOVA test, paired samples t test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Wilcoxon test were used to compare the results, for a significance level of 0.05.

RESULTS

Of 28 participants completed the study. There were significant differences in waist circumference reduction between the experimental group 1 and 2 when compared to the control group (p = 0.005 and p = 0.014, respectively). There was a statistically significant reduction in navel level circumference in experimental group 1 when compared to experimental group 2 (p = 0.024) and with the control group (p = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

Both resources were effective in reducing abdominal measurements when compared to the control group. However, SWT was superior in reducing the navel level circumference.

Simultaneous Application of High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic and Synchronized Radiofrequency for Fat Disruption: Histological and Electron Microscopy Porcine Model Study

BACKGROUND

Radiofrequency (RF) and high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technologies are used for noninvasive body shaping as standalone modalities.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of novel synchronized RF and HIFEM on subcutaneous adipose tissue in a porcine animal model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seven large white pigs aged 6 months received 3 abdominal treatments of simultaneous application of synchronized RF and HIFEM (30 minutes, once per week). Punch biopsies of treated and control subcutaneous tissue were collected at the baseline, 4 days, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 2 months. Specimens were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. Adipocyte volume was analyzed. Fat tissue temperature was measured in situ (fiber optic probes) and superficially (thermal imager).

RESULTS

Fat layer was heated to temperatures of 42 to 45°C. Signs of fat apoptosis (shape alternations and pyknotic nuclei) appeared at day 4 and peaked between 2 weeks and 1 month. Adipocyte volume decreased significantly (p < .001) by 31.1% at 2 weeks, 1 month (-23.6%), and 2 months (-22.0%). Control samples showed healthy adipocytes. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs corroborated histology findings, showing flattened, volume-depleted and disrupted adipocytes.

CONCLUSION

Synchronized RF with HIFEM procedure resulted in a significant and sustained fat reduction with no adverse events.

Male cellular telephone exposure, fecundability, and semen quality: results from two preconception cohort studies

STUDY QUESTION

To what extent is exposure to cellular telephones associated with male fertility?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Overall, we found little association between carrying a cell phone in the front pants pocket and male fertility, although among leaner men (BMI <25 kg/m2), carrying a cell phone in the front pants pocket was associated with lower fecundability.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Some studies have indicated that cell phone use is associated with poor semen quality, but the results are conflicting.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Two prospective preconception cohort studies were conducted with men in Denmark (n = 751) and in North America (n = 2349), enrolled and followed via the internet from 2012 to 2020.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

On the baseline questionnaire, males reported their hours/day of carrying a cell phone in different body locations. We ascertained time to pregnancy via bi-monthly follow-up questionnaires completed by the female partner for up to 12 months or until reported conception. We used proportional probabilities regression models to estimate fecundability ratios (FRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between male cell phone habits and fecundability, focusing on front pants pocket exposure, within each cohort separately and pooling across the cohorts using a fixed-effect meta-analysis. In a subset of participants, we examined selected semen parameters (semen volume, sperm concentration and sperm motility) using a home-based semen testing kit.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

There was little overall association between carrying a cell phone in a front pants pocket and fecundability: the FR for any front pants pocket exposure versus none was 0.94 (95% CI: 0.0.83-1.05). We observed an inverse association between any front pants pocket exposure and fecundability among men whose BMI was <25 kg/m2 (FR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.88) but little association among men whose BMI was ≥25 kg/m2 (FR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.90-1.22). There were few consistent associations between cell phone exposure and semen volume, sperm concentration, or sperm motility.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Exposure to radiofrequency radiation from cell phones is subject to considerable non-differential misclassification, which would tend to attenuate the estimates for dichotomous comparisons and extreme exposure categories (e.g. exposure 8 vs. 0 h/day). Residual confounding by occupation or other unknown or poorly measured factors may also have affected the results.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Overall, there was little association between carrying one's phone in the front pants pocket and fecundability. There was a moderate inverse association between front pants pocket cell phone exposure and fecundability among men with BMI <25 kg/m2, but not among men with BMI ≥25 kg/m2. Although several previous studies have indicated associations between cell phone exposure and lower sperm motility, we found few consistent associations with any semen quality parameters.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, grant number R03HD090315. In the last 3 years, PRESTO has received in-kind donations from Sandstone Diagnostics (for semen kits), Swiss Precision Diagnostics (home pregnancy tests), Kindara.com (fertility app), and FertilityFriend.com (fertility app). Dr. L.A.W. is a fibroid consultant for AbbVie, Inc. Dr. H.T.S. reports that the Department of Clinical Epidemiology is involved in studies with funding from various companies as research grants to and administered by Aarhus University. None of these studies are related to the current study. Dr. M.L.E. is an advisor to Sandstone Diagnostics, Ro, Dadi, Hannah, and Underdog. Dr. G.J.S. holds ownership in Sandstone Diagnostics Inc., developers of the Trak Male Fertility Testing System. In addition, Dr. G.J.S. has a patent pending related to Trak Male Fertility Testing System issued.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

Effects of microwave technology on the subcutaneous abdominal fat and anthropometric indices of overweight adults: A clinical trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Non-invasive body contouring devices have fewer side effects and are the new techniques for the treatment of obesity. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of microwave technology on the abdominal obesity and anthropometric indices of overweight adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This clinical trial was conducted on 53 overweight adults aged 18-65 years who referred to Behbood Clinic in Tehran, Iran. The participants were exposed to microwave technology (radiofrequency: 2.5 GHz) based on a standard treatment protocol at three intervals (0, 20, and 40 days). Abdominal obesity, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, body fat mass, and fat thickness were measured at the beginning and 20, 40, and 60 days after the study. In addition, three-day dietary records were collected at intervals.

RESULTS

In total, 77.6% of the subjects were female and 22.4% were male. The mean calorie intake of the participants was 2245.14 ± 1981.16 kcal/day. Microwave shock significantly reduced fat thickness in four abdominal areas (p < 0.001). Moreover, waist circumference (p < 0.001) and total fat thickness of the abdomen decreased (p = 0.003 and p = 0.002, respectively).

CONCLUSION

According to the results, microwave technology and radiofrequency could effectively reduce anthropometric indices. In general, the reduction of these indicators and weight may be more significant in men compared to women.

Effect of an aerobic exercise session combined with abdominal radiofrequency on lipolytic activity in women: Randomized control trial

BACKGROUND

Abdominal adiposity is a cardiovascular risk factor; it is assumed that the combination of radiofrequency and physical exercise may decrease this excess of adipose tissue.

PURPOSE

To understand whether an aerobic physical exercise session associated with abdominal radiofrequency increases the level of lipolytic activity.

METHODOLOGY

The study analyzes the effect of a combined aerobic exercise session with radiofrequency. Participants were 30 healthy female volunteers, aged 18-28 years, randomly assigned to an experimental group and placebo group. They were characterized by a sociodemographic questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Food Frequency Questionnaire. The groups performed an abdominal radiofrequency session followed by moderate aerobic exercise, assessing glycerol concentration and lipid profile values before and after the intervention. In the experimental group, a percentage of potency was used that allowed to maintain the temperature between 40º C and 42º C to the epidermis. In the placebo group, the power of the radiofrequency was 0 Watt. To compare results, Student's t test was used for a significance level of 0.05.

RESULTS

There were no significant changes in glycerol concentrations between groups (P > 0.05). There were no changes in the lipid profile of both groups after the intervention (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The association of exercise with radiofrequency did not present an increased effect on lipolytic activity when compared to the isolated exercise. The application of this technique is a safe intervention.