The effect of high‐intensity focused electromagnetic procedure on visceral adipose tissue: Retrospective assessment of computed tomography scans

Background High levels of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) are associated with abdominal obesity and increased risk of metabolic deterioration. Recent studies showed that intensive physical exercise results in the reduction of subcutaneous and visceral fat. Aims This study investigates the effect of su...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of cosmetic dermatology 2021-03, Vol.20 (3), p.757-762
Main Authors: Kent, David E., Kinney, Brian M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adipose Tissue
computed tomography
electromagnetic fields
Electromagnetic Phenomena
Energy Based Devices
Humans
Intra-Abdominal Fat - diagnostic imaging
Obesity, Abdominal - diagnostic imaging
Original Contribution
Retrospective Studies
subcutaneous fat
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
visceral fat
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Summary:Background High levels of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) are associated with abdominal obesity and increased risk of metabolic deterioration. Recent studies showed that intensive physical exercise results in the reduction of subcutaneous and visceral fat. Aims This study investigates the effect of supramaximal muscle contractions induced by a HIFEM procedure for abdominal VAT changes. Methods Computed tomography (CT) scans of 22 subjects (47.3 ± 8.4 years, BMI of 23.5 ± 3.5 kg/m2) who received 8 HIFEM treatments of the abdomen (2‐3 days apart) were retrospectively evaluated for the changes in VAT. The CT scans were obtained at baseline and 1 month after the last treatment. The transverse slices at umbilical, infraumbilical, and supraumbilical levels were used to determine the cross‐sectional area (CSA) of VAT through a semi‐automated segmentation method. Results Analysis of the CSA revealed a significant (P = .004) and uniform reduction of the abdominal VAT area by 14.3% (−16.7 cm2) from 110.6 ± 69.0 cm2 to 93.9 ± 54.6 cm2. In general, a higher relative improvement was seen infraumbilically (17.1%), followed by supraumbilical (15.5%) and umbilical (10.7%) levels. The reduction of VAT was strongly correlated to the reduction of subcutaneous fat (r(17) = 0.66; P = .002). A decrease in VAT volume contributed to the overall aesthetic enhancement visible on digital photographs. Conclusions The outcomes indicate that HIFEM technology has a positive effect on VAT. However, further studies are necessary to validate these outcomes and to clarify the exact mechanism of a VAT reduction. Based on our results, the HIFEM procedure may be a beneficial treatment option for patients with high VAT deposits.
ISSN:1473-2130
1473-2165
DOI:10.1111/jocd.13952