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

High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) Energy With and Without Radiofrequency for Noninvasive Body Contouring: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Emsculpt Neo (EmSculpt NEO Device, BTL Industries, Inc.) is a FDA-cleared noninvasive body contouring treatment for increasing muscle tone and/or reducing fat. The device uses high-intensity electromagnetic energy to stimulate muscle contractions and to build muscle mass (Emsculpt) or a combination of electromagnetic energy with radiofrequency (Emsculpt NEO) to produce a synergistic effect of building muscle mass and reducing fat. In this study, we conduct a high-quality systematic review to evaluate outcomes for Emsculpt and Emsculpt NEO treatments for noninvasive body contouring.

METHODS

An electronic search was performed of the PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases using the key terms "High intensity focused electromagnetic therapy; HIFEM; Emsculpt; Emsculpt NEO; BTL Industries." The search included all articles published in English through January 2023. Inclusion criteria included articles noninvasive body contouring and reporting at least one outcome of interest (clinical or patient-reported outcomes). Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using the GRADE criteria. Articles involving applications other than for body contouring, animal studies, and review articles were excluded.

RESULTS

Of the 159 articles identified in the initial search strategy, 51 met relevance based on abstract screening. Fifteen clinical studies were identified, including Emsculpt (n=11) and Emsculpt NEO (n=2). The typical protocol involved four treatments given over a 2-4-week period (range 3-8 treatments) with increase to 100% intensity setting and 1-6-month follow-ups. No complications were reported. Abdominal measurements were obtained using imaging were reported in eight studies. Treated areas included the buttocks (n=4), thighs (n=3), arms or calves (n=1), and abdomen (n=11). For abdominal contouring, mean reductions of fat thickness were 5.5 mm, muscle thickness of 2 mm, and rectus diastasis improvement of 3.0 mm. No studies reported weight change before and after treatment. All studies with patient-reported outcomes report high patient satisfaction. Two studies report marginal or no benefit of treatment. Certain studies failed to report comorbidities or demographic characteristics other than age and sex, which precludes analysis of specific subgroups that may benefit from treatment. Furthermore, certain studies failed to address how missing data or the final study population was analyzed.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review reports on currently published evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of Emsculpt and Emsculpt NEO for body contouring. High-quality level data reporting with patient-reported outcomes will optimize shared decision-making and informed consent.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II

Therapeutic study. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Non-invasive Body Contouring Technologies: An Updated Narrative Review

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, a lot of body contouring devices and methods are introduced all over the world. The object of the present narrative review was to update and classify existing evidence on these methods and devices.

METHODS

We searched databases including PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar for 11 essential keywords, including cryolipolysis, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), shock wave, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), radiofrequency (RF), capacitive resistive electrical transfer (TECAR), high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM), electromyostimulation (EMS), carboxytherapy, mesotherapy, and acupuncture and their abbreviations, in addition to obesity, overweight, cellulite, subcutaneous fat, and body contouring.

RESULTS

Totally 193 references were used in 11 main topics.

CONCLUSION

In order to help physicians with finding the best evidence in different methods, the data were summarised in 11 topics. Furthermore, FDA-approved devices, side effects and common protocols were described in each section.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I

This journal requires that authors 39 assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full 40 description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, 41 please refer to the Table of Contents or the online 42 Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Retrospective analysis of high-intensity focused electromagnetic procedure synchronized with radiofrequency energy for visceral fat reduction

BACKGROUND

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT), present in the abdominal cavity, oftentimes contributes to an unpleasant aesthetic appearance and can be correlated with serious health issues. High-intensity focused electromagnetic field (HIFEM) technology with synchronized radiofrequency (RF) was recently used for abdominal body shaping through subcutaneous fat reduction and muscle growth.

AIM

This study aimed to assess the effect of HIFEM + RF technology on VAT tissue.

METHODS

Data of 16 men and 24 women (22-62 years, 21.2-34.3 kg/cm2 ) from the original study were retrospectively reviewed. All subjects received three 30-min HIFEM + RF abdominal treatments once weekly for three consecutive weeks. The VAT area was measured in the axial plane of MRI scans at two levels: L4-L5 vertebrae and 5 cm above this level. The VAT was identified, segmented, and calculated, yielding total area in square centimeters per scan at both specified levels.

RESULTS

By thoughtful review of the subject's post-treatment MRI scans, no other changes in the abdominal cavity were found except for VAT. The evaluation showed a VAT reduction of 17.8% (p < 0.001) on average at 3-month follow-up, maintaining the results up to 6 months (-17.3%). Averaging the values obtained from both measured levels, the VAT, occupied an area of 100.2 ± 73.3 cm2 at the baseline. At the 3-month follow-up, the subjects achieved an average reduction of 17.9 cm2 , preserving the results at 6 months (-17.6 ± 17.3 cm).

CONCLUSION

This retrospective analysis of MRI images objectively documented the effect of HIFEM + RF abdominal therapy on VAT. The data indicates considerable VAT reduction without serious adverse events following the HIFEM + RF procedure.

A Systematic Review of Electromagnetic Treatments for Body Contouring

BACKGROUND

Energy-based treatments include ultrasound, lasers, cryolipolysis, and radiofrequency. The most recent energy treatment for noninvasive body contouring is electromagnetic treatments-a hot topic in plastic surgery today. A systematic review to assess efficacy and safety has not been published.

METHODS

An electronic search was performed using PubMed to identify the literature describing electromagnetic treatments. Measurements from imaging studies were tabulated and compared.

RESULTS

Fourteen clinical studies were evaluated. Two studies included simultaneous radiofrequency treatments. In 11 studies, the Emsculpt device was used; in 2 studies, the Emsculpt-Neo device was used. One study included a sham group of patients. The usual protocol was 4 treatments given over a 2-week period. No complications were reported. Eight studies included abdominal measurement data obtained using magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or ultrasound. Photographic results were typically modest. Photographs showing more dramatic results also showed unexplained reductions in untreated areas.Measurement variances were high. The mean reduction in fat thickness was 5.5 mm. The mean increment in muscle thickness was 2.2 mm. The mean decrease in muscle separation was 2.9 mm (P = 0.19). Early posttreatment ultrasound images in 1 study showed an echolucent muscle layer, compared with a more echodense layer at the baseline, consistent with tissue swelling after exercise. Almost all studies were authored by medical advisors for the device manufacturer.

DISCUSSION

Measurement data show small reductions in fat thickness, occurring almost immediately after the treatments. Adipocyte removal without tissue swelling would be unique among energy-based treatments. Similarly, muscle hypertrophy is not known to occur acutely after exercise; muscle swelling likely accounts for an early increment in muscle thickness. Any improvement in the diastasis recti is likely fictitious.

CONCLUSIONS

Electromagnetic treatments, either administered alone or in combination with radiofrequency, are safe. However, the evidence for efficacy is tenuous. Measured treatment effects are very small (<5 mm). Conflict of interest and publication bias are major factors in studies evaluating energy-based alternatives. The evidence-based physician may not be satisfied that an equivocal treatment benefit justifies the time and expense for patients.

Muscle Stimulation for Aesthetic Body Shaping: A Comprehensive and Critical Review

BACKGROUND

Aesthetic muscle stimulation (AMS) using high-intensity electromagnetic field (HIFEM) targets skeletal muscle neurons, causing muscle hypertrophy and loss of adipose tissue, thereby cultivating a sculpted physique. Many studies have evaluated AMS for noninvasive body contouring; however, the efficacy, safety, and long-term data remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To critically evaluate the current literature on the use of electromagnetic muscle stimulation for body contouring and provide a consensus on patient selection and long-term efficacy of AMS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed and Embase were searched using the terms: "HIFEM," "Electromagnetic therapy," and "muscle" or "Electrical stimulation muscle treatments" and "aesthetics." Studies involving the use of muscle stimulation for nonaesthetic/dermatologic, in vitro studies or studies involving animals were excluded.

RESULTS

Twenty studies in total were included [9 moderate-quality, 8 low-quality, and 3 very low‒quality studies] based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation scale, representing 521 patients. Body sites evaluated included the abdomen (378 patients), buttock (156 patients), arms (22 patients), and calves (15 patients).

CONCLUSION

Electromagnetic muscle stimulation represents an effective therapeutic intervention for abdominal contouring that yields increased muscle thickness, and reduced abdominal fat thickness, for up to 1 year after treatment. Larger, controlled studies are needed to determine the efficacy of electromagnetic muscle stimulation alone for contouring of buttocks, thighs, arms, and calves.

A New Protocol to Treat Abdominal Subcutaneous Fat Combining Microwaves and Flat magnetic stimulation

Background: A healthy lifestyle is not always able to improve the abdomen’s appearance, especially in those patients who have undergone sudden weight changes. Objective: We aimed at evaluating the efficacy of combined microwaves and flat magnetic stimulation (FMS) to treat abdominal localized adiposity and laxity. Methods: Twenty-five patients were subjected to two treatment sessions per month on the abdominal area with microwaves. FMS was also performed twice per week, with a minimum of two days between each session for two months. The technology uses three types of different protocols: massage, muscle definition (shaping), and muscular strengthening. Measurements, including body mass index (BMI) and waist, and abdominal ultrasound were performed at baseline and three months after the last treatment session. Blood examinations were performed, and a 5-Likert scale questionnaire was used to assess patient satisfaction. Results: At follow-up, three months after the last treatment, the mean waist circumference (WC) was significantly reduced, and skin laxity improved in all patients (p < 0.001). A significant improvement in abdominal muscle tissue thickness was also shown in all abdominal areas, and the thickness of the adipose tissue evaluated by ultrasound was reduced. Conclusions: This study proves that the combination of microwaves and FMS treatment is secure and efficient for treating abdominal subcutaneous fat and skin laxity.

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 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.