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Copyright @ Pol J Cosmetol
Pol J Cosmetol 2013, 16(4): 321-325en  The effects of ultrasound treatments on the reduction of adipose tissue in young, overweight womenZdzisław Lewandowski 1/, Angelika Smektała 2/, Agnieszka Pisula-Lewandowska 3/ 1/ Department of Human Biology, Chair of Physiotherapy Foundations, Faculty of Physioterapy, University School of Physical Education in Wrocław 2/ The Prestige Beauty Salon, Wroclaw, Poland 3/ Faculty of Physioterapy, University School of Physical Education in Wrocław, Poland Summary Introduction. Ultrasounds are a method used in a number of conditions or ailments. In physiotherapy they are typically administered in the treatment of motor organs, inter alia in alleviating pain. They are also used in treating degenerative diseases, contractures or overuse syndromes. Ultrasounds also find application in other fields of science. In dermatology and cosmetology their effects are used as a method of face cleansing or fighting excess fatty tissue. Excess fatty tissue does not merely constitute a cosmetic defect, but it may also contribute to the disturbance of the organism homeostasis, which leads to a number of diseases or mood disturbances caused by peer pressure. Aim. The objective of the paper was to find an answer to the question whether a series of ultrasound treatments affects changes in body composition, in particular changes of fatty tissue mass, BMI and body circumferences within the area of treatment administration. Material and methods. The study involved 26 slightly overweight women aged 20-26 with an average BMI of 25.2 kg/m2. A body composition analysis was conducted before and after a series of administered procedures with a tetrapolar version of Akern 101/S STA/BIA RJL unit (Italy) measuring electrical bioimpedance (BIA). Moreover, waist, hip and thigh circumferences of both legs were measured at three points, along with body mass and height. Results. After completing a series of six ultrasound procedures, a significant reduction of fatty tissue mass, body mass and BMI was demonstrated. Furthermore, the circumference of a non-dominant lower limb and hip size were significantly reduced. Conclusions. The obtained results lead to an assumption that ultrasound procedures could find use in physiotherapy and aesthetic medicine as a helpful tool for local reduction of excess fatty tissue and body modelling; however it requires more extensive study on groups of patients of different gender and age. Key words: ultrasound treatments, adipose tissue, body composition, women |