Scientists from Louisville found a new way to reduce belly fat and increase muscles.
They found the combination of radiofrequency (RF) heating and high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy provides a single, non-invasive procedure for abdominal body shaping.
These effects are even greater than achieved with RF and HIFEM alone and are maintained for up to 6 months after treatment.
It simultaneously reduces belly fat while increasing abdominal muscle mass without surgery.
The research is published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and was conducted by Julene B. Samuels et al.
There is growing interest in the use of nonsurgical approaches to body contouring, including RF and HIFEM. Radiofrequency energy is used to increase the temperature of fatty tissue, leading to heat-induced damage to fat cells.
Application of HIFEM triggers supramaximal muscle contractions, leading to muscle strengthening and growth.
Used separately, RF energy is effective in reducing abdominal fat while HIFEM is effective in increasing muscle mass.
In the study, the new technology (marketed as Emsculpt Neo) combines these two techniques, allowing RF heating and HIFEM energy to be applied simultaneously.
The combined RF and HIEM device has received FDA clearance for a noninvasive breakdown of abdominal fat.
The team evaluated the effects of the combined procedure in 72 people, average age of 45 years, seeking abdominal body shaping.
Patients were assigned to receive RF plus HIFEM (48 patients) or an inactive “sham” procedure (24 patients).
Patients underwent three 30-minute treatments delivered once a week for 3 consecutive weeks.
At 1 month, patients undergoing RF plus HIFEM had an average 20.5% decrease in abdominal fat with a 21.5% increase in abdominal muscle thickness.
Three-month assessments showed further improvement: a 28.3% decrease in abdominal fat and a 24.2% increase in muscle thickness.
In contrast, the sham treatment group had no change in abdominal fat or muscle thickness.
Six-month evaluation in patients receiving RF plus HIFEM showed minor decreases in treatment effect.
Side effects consisted of mild, temporary reddening of the skin and soreness of the abdominal muscles, with no significant complications.
The team says that compared to RF and HIFEM performed individually, the combined procedure appears to provide greater effects on abdominal fat and muscle thickness.
If you care about belly fat, please read studies about how to lose belly fat fast, and this interval training could reduce belly fat.
For more information about wellness, please see recent studies about 6 things to know before you do high-intensity exercise, and results showing why people with type 2 diabetes should take resistance exercise.
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