Treatment of cellulite with a bipolar radiofrequency, infrared heat, and pulsatile suction device: a pilot study.

Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2006 · Benefit · Very low evidence

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BenefitVery low evidencePaper 3484

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of cosmetic dermatology · 2006

Study typeother

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Very few therapeutic options have proven effective in the treatment of cellulite. AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness and adverse effects of a bipolar radiofrequency (RF), infrared (IR) heat and pulsatile suction device for the treatment of cellulite. METHODS: Twelve subjects were treated with the RF-light-based device. All subjects were treated twice weekly for a total number of eight to nine treatments. Subjects were evaluated using standardized photographs, and measurements of body weight and circumference of treatment sites at baseline, immediately after the last treatment, and four weeks and one year after the last treatment. Clinical improvement scores of comparable photographs using a quartile grading scale (0 = <25%, 1 = 25-50%, 2 = 51-75%, 3 = >75% improvement) were judged independently by two non-treating dermatologists after the series of treatment. RESULTS: The average body weights at baseline, immediately after the last treatment, and four weeks and one year after the complete treatment were 56.30, 56.05, 56.23, and 56.53 kg, respectively. The average circumferential reductions of the abdomen and thigh at the last treatment visit were 5.17 +/- 1.04 cm (6.32%+/- 1.82%) and 3.50 +/- 2.16 cm (6.23 +/- 3.58%), respectively. At four weeks after the last treatment, the average circumferential reductions of the abdomen and thigh were sustained at 3.17 +/- 2.75 cm (4.04%+/- 3.69%) and 3.50 +/- 2.04 cm (6.26%+/- 3.52%), respectively. At one year follow-up visit, the average circumferential reductions of the abdomen and thigh were maintained at 3.83 +/- 0.76 cm (4.64%+/- 1.15%) and 3.13 +/- 3.54 (5.50%+/- 6.12%), respectively. Average clinical improvement scores of the abdomen and thigh after the series of treatments were 0.75 (corresponding to approximately 25% improvement), and 1.75 (corresponding to approximately 50% improvement), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A bipolar RF, IR heat and pulsatile suction device provides a beneficial effect on reduction of abdomen and thigh circumference, and smoothening of the cellulite.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeother

Effect directionbenefit

Population12 subjects treated for cellulite

Sample size12

ExposureRF · 8–9 treatments, twice weekly

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Twelve subjects received 8–9 twice-weekly treatments with a bipolar RF/infrared heat/pulsatile suction device. Average abdomen and thigh circumferences decreased after treatment and reductions were reported as sustained at 4 weeks and maintained at 1 year; average photo-based clinical improvement scores were 0.75 for abdomen (~25% improvement) and 1.75 for thigh (~50% improvement).

Outcomes measured

Body weight
Abdomen circumference reduction
Thigh circumference reduction
Photograph-based clinical improvement score (quartile grading scale)
Adverse effects

Limitations

Pilot study
Small sample size (n=12)
No control or comparison group described in abstract
RF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, SAR) not reported in abstract
Adverse effects not described in abstract despite being an aim

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "medical/cosmetic device (bipolar radiofrequency with infrared heat and pulsatile suction)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "8–9 treatments, twice weekly"
  },
  "population": "12 subjects treated for cellulite",
  "sample_size": 12,
  "outcomes": [
    "Body weight",
    "Abdomen circumference reduction",
    "Thigh circumference reduction",
    "Photograph-based clinical improvement score (quartile grading scale)",
    "Adverse effects"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Twelve subjects received 8–9 twice-weekly treatments with a bipolar RF/infrared heat/pulsatile suction device. Average abdomen and thigh circumferences decreased after treatment and reductions were reported as sustained at 4 weeks and maintained at 1 year; average photo-based clinical improvement scores were 0.75 for abdomen (~25% improvement) and 1.75 for thigh (~50% improvement).",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Pilot study",
    "Small sample size (n=12)",
    "No control or comparison group described in abstract",
    "RF exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, SAR) not reported in abstract",
    "Adverse effects not described in abstract despite being an aim"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "cellulite",
    "bipolar radiofrequency",
    "infrared heat",
    "pulsatile suction",
    "circumference reduction",
    "photographic assessment",
    "cosmetic dermatology"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2006.00271.x
PubMed: 17716245

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