Effect of low-intensity, low-frequency ultrasound treatment on anthropometry, subcutaneous adipose tissue, and body composition of young normal weight females

Abstract

Background: Low-intensity, low-frequency ultrasound is increasingly being used for noninvasive, external body contouring as an alternative to liposuction or laser treatments. Objectives To evaluate the effect of chronic localized treatment with a novel ultrasound device on subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness and fat mass in young, normal weight women. Methods: Twenty-eight females (mean age = 25.5 ± 0.66 [SE] year, mean BMI = 22.1 ± 0.37 kg/m2) underwent a 10-week bilateral treatment with the device in the gluteus-buttock-thigh area (Lipolysis program: ultrasound frequency = 150 kHz; power = 1.65 W/cm2), 48 min per session, two sessions a week. Subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness and fat mass were evaluated before and after treatment with ultrasound and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, respectively. Results: Treatment was well tolerated by all participants. At the end of treatment, statistically significant reduction of subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness was found bilaterally at the gluteus and thigh site (-2.03 ÷ -2.79%). Trunk and lower limb fat mass were reduced as well (-3.48 ÷ -3.97%). Conclusions: A 10-week, low-intensity, low-frequency localized external ultrasound treatment is effective in reducing adipose tissue in females.