Effect of capacitive radiofrequency on adipose tissue of the abdominal region

Objectives: To evaluate histological changes in the adipose tissue after capacitive radiofrequency (RF) stimulation (thermotherapy).
Methods: This is a case series study (n=5). The volunteers received in the right infraumbilical abdominal region a single application of capacitive RF (BTL-6000 TR-Therapy Pro®), with a frequency of 480 to 520KHz, power of 150 W for 10 minutes (2 minutes per head area, 50mm in diameter). The epidermal temperature was above 40°C, and, the left side was used as control. After 30 days, an average, tissue sample was collected for histological analysis and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS program (version 20), with a significance level of 95%, and the adipocyte count was performed using Image J®. This study was registered with the XXXX Ethics Committee n. 3,461,688, Jul/12/19 and, the number of clinical trial registration was NCT04182542.
Results: The number of adipocytes on the treated side was 41.2 ± 2.0 per field and, in the control side was 36.6 ± 2.0 per field, with a significant difference (p=0.009), because of the size of adipocytes being smaller on the side treated.
Conclusion: Radiofrequency can lead to morphological changes in adipocytes in the abdominal region with an important reduction in their size.