High-power therapeutic ultrasound for treatment of abdominal localized adiposity—double-blind randomized clinical trial

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of high-power therapeutic ultrasound in the treatment of abdominal localized adiposity in an isolated manner, with the use of neutral gel comparing ultrasonic application with 5% lipolytic active caffeine gel (phonophoresis). A total of 90 healthy women aged between 18 and 40 years were randomized and divided into two groups. The volunteers underwent anamnesis evaluation, perimetry, bioimpedance, ultrasound examination, and blood tests (complete lipidogram, creatinine, and vitamin D) before and after the end of the 10-session ultrasound protocol (3 MHz, 2 W/cm², and 30w). Comparisons between groups and pre-post evaluation were performed by a two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. Values of p < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in both groups, for the perimetry (p < 0.001) and measurements of adipose tissue thickness (p < 0.001). The examinations exhibited a significant alteration only of the complete lipidogram, but without significance (p > 0.05). When comparing the groups, no statistically significant difference was identified in any of the analyzed parameters. The high-power ultrasonic therapy is efficient in reducing localized adiposity, regardless of whether it is applied with neutral gel or 5% caffeine gel.