Efficacy and safety of non-focused low-intensity ultrasound technology for subcutaneous lipolysis in the lower abdomen: a clinical study.

Abstract

Background: With rising demand for non-invasive body contouring, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of non-focused, low-intensity ultrasound for lower abdominal lipolysis.

Methods: The enrolled subjects prospectively received 6 weekly sessions of well-setting ultrasound treatment with frequency of 1 MHz and an intensity of 2.2 W/cm2, to target the subcutaneous fat of lower abdomen with three regions (left, middle, and right). Evaluations included ultrasound measurements and blood biochemical analyses at the baseline, pre-4th session, and at 1 and 2-month post-treatment points to confirm the efficacy and safety.

Results: A total of 17 subjects completed the whole treatment. Significant reductions in superficial abdominal fat layer thickness of all three regions were observed (all P-values of ANOVA <0.001), without severe adverse events reported. Post-hoc analysis showed the superficial fat layers of all the three regions at 1-month post-treatment significant reductions comparing the baseline (all adjusted P < 0.05). The reduction effects for superficial fat layers were still available at the 2-month post-treatment follow-up at the left and middle regions. Conversely, there was no significant improvements among the deep fat layers at the three regions.

Conclusion: Non-focused, low-intensity ultrasound demonstrate its potential of efficacy and safety for reducing superficial abdominal fat, and may maintain the capability for at least two months. Further studies are needed to confirm long-term efficacy and optimize treatment parameters.   What is already known on this topic? Non-focused ultrasound with low-intensity is recognized for its potential in non-invasive body contouring, but detailed efficacy and safety data were limited, especially for lower abdominal lipolysis. What this study adds? Our research demonstrated the efficacy and safety of non-focused ultrasound with low-intensity in reducing superficial abdominal fat, with sustained effects for at least two months. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy? This study could guide future researches toward long-term effects and optimization of ultrasound treatments, and influence clinical practice by providing a validated method for non-invasive fat reduction.