Nonthermal Pulsed Ultrasound Treatment for the Reduction in Abdominal Fat: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: Noninvasive fat reduction has become increasingly popular. This study evaluated the outcomes of multiple treatments with a nonthermal focused ultrasound device for the noninvasive removal of excess abdominal fat. Design: Participants underwent a total of three pulsed, focused ultrasound treatments spaced two weeks apart. Setting: This study took place in an outpatient dermatology office in a suburb of a major city. Participants: Ten healthy female subjects between 18 and 60 years of age with an abdominal thickness of at least 0.6cm and body mass index between 22 and 30kg/m2 were included. Measurements: Fat layer thickness was measured by ultrasound imaging and skin caliper and was compared with baseline at the four-, eight-, and 12-week follow-up visits after the final treatment session. Results: The study subjects underwent a total of 30 treatment sessions. Ultrasound imaging of the targeted fat layer decreased significantly by 13, 16, and 13 percent at the four-, eight-, and 12-week follow-up time points, respectively, while measurements of the fat layer as performed by skin caliper decreased by 12, 10, and 13 percent, respectively. All subjects noted improvement, while investigators noted significant improvement and expressed high satisfaction from the ultrasound treatment outcomes at the final visit. Treatments were well tolerated and no adverse events were recorded during the study period. Conclusion: Nonthermal pulsed focused ultrasound appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for the noninvasive removal of unwanted abdominal fat deposits. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02700152.

Keywords: Nonthermal pulsed ultrasound fat reduction; noninvasive fat loss; noninvasive fat treatment.

Conflict of interest statement

FUNDING:Funding provided by Syneron Medical. DISCLOSURES:The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to the content of this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1.

Average fat layer thickness reduction (mm) according to ultrasound imaging measurements

FIGURE 2.

Average percentage (%) fat reduction according to ultrasound imaging measurements

FIGURE 3.

Subject fat thickness reduction (%) as determined according to ultrasound imaging at the Week 12 follow-up visit

FIGURE 4.

Lower abdomen of a 39-year-old woman A) before and B) after three treatments with the nonthermal pulsed ultrasound device, representing a 16.1-percent reduction of the fat layer as measured by ultrasound

FIGURE 4.

Lower abdomen of a 39-year-old woman A) before and B) after three treatments with the nonthermal pulsed ultrasound device, representing a 16.1-percent reduction of the fat layer as measured by ultrasound