MRI and CT Assessment of Abdominal Tissue Composition in Patients After High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Therapy Treatments: One-Year Follow-Up

BACKGROUND: Several studies investigating high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) treatments have been recently published. However, long-term data are due to the novelty of the procedure still missing. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate changes in abdominal tissues on average one year after a series of HIFEM treatments, to determine the long-term durability of patients' original body responses. METHODS: MRI or CT scanning was performed on 21 patients on average 332.6 +/- 88.5 days after their original HIFEM treatment series. The scans were evaluated by blinded radiologist for abdominal muscle thickness, subcutaneous fat changes, and abdominal separation. The results were compared to the MRI/CT assisted measurements taken at the baseline and 6-week follow-up. Correlations between collected data sets were calculated and tested. The incidence of any adverse events related to earlier treatments was monitored. RESULTS: When comparing the 1-year follow-up measurements with the baseline, the MRI/CT-assisted calculations revealed on average 14.63% (2.97 +/- 2.11 mm) reduction in fat, 19.05% (1.89 +/- 0.88 mm) muscle thickening, and 10.46% (1.96 +/- 1.71 mm) diastasis recti reduction. All changes were significant (p 0.05). The baseline width of diastasis positively correlated with the degree of improvement at follow-up. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: The HIFEM-induced muscle hypertrophy, fat reduction, and reduction in abdominal separation were maintained 1-year post-treatment. This suggests long-term durability of the original bodily response, which needs to be verified by continuing follow-up of this group and by further studies.