A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Study to Investigate the Safety and Efficacy of Acoustic Wave Therapy in Body Contouring : Dermatologic Surgery

Secondary Logo

Journal Logo

Advanced Search
Original Article

A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Study to Investigate the Safety and Efficacy of Acoustic Wave Therapy in Body Contouring

Nassar, Amer H. MD*; Dorizas, Andrew S. MD*; Shafai, Aria BSc*; Sadick, Neil S. MD*,†

Author Information

*Sadick Research Group, New York, New York;

†Department of Dermatology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York

Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Amer H. Nassar, MD, Sadick Research Group, 911 Park Avenue Suite 1A, New York, NY 10075, or e-mail: [email protected]

N. S. Sadick received equipment and educational grants by Storz Medical AG for the conduction of this research. The other authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.

Dermatologic Surgery 41(3):p 366-370, March 2015. | DOI: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000000290

Abstract

BACKGROUND 

There is an increased demand for the reduction of localized adipose tissue by noninvasive methods.

OBJECTIVE 

The objective of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of noninvasive lipolysis of excess adiposities overlying the lateral thigh region using acoustic wave therapy (AWT). This study incorporates 2 mechanical waves with varying properties in the same session: radial and planar AWT.

METHODS AND MATERIALS 

The treatment was performed using AWT on the lateral thigh areas of 15 female patients. The study was performed using the planar and radial pulse handpieces, with 8 sessions performed within 4 weeks. Follow-up visits were performed 1, 4, and 12 weeks after the last treatment.

RESULTS 

Reduction in both thigh circumference and subcutaneous fat layer thickness, measured through ultrasound, was observed.

CONCLUSION 

This study demonstrates that AWT is safe and efficacious for the treatment of localized adiposities in the saddlebag area. However, the results obtained were not statistically significant. Larger studies will be needed to further access the effects of AWT on thigh circumference reduction. Furthermore, the authors also found an improvement in the appearance of both cellulite and skin firmness after the treatments.

© 2015 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Full Text Access for Subscribers:

Not a Subscriber?

Buy
Request Permissions

You can read the full text of this article if you:

Access through Ovid