Abdominal Remodeling in Postpartum Women by Using a High-intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) Procedure: An...

Objective: High-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology offers an alternative to surgical procedures in terms of correction of altered body shape. In this pilot study, we investigated whether HIFEM technology can positively affect abdominal appearance in postpartum women. Methods: Ten women (3-36 months postpartum; average age: 37.7 years) received four 30-minute abdominal HIFEM treatments. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of abdominal fat thickness, rectus abdominis thickness, and the width of abdominal separation was performed and evaluated at baseline, one month, three months, and six months post-treatment. Additionally, weight was recorded, standardized photographs were taken, and patient comfort levels with the procedures were assessed, using a 7-point scale, at these same time points. The paired t-test was used to statistically analyze the mean differences between the baseline and post-treatment data. Results: Results obtained from MRI images showed an average abdominal fat reduction of 17.0 percent at the one-month follow-up visit, while at the three-month follow-up, it was 20.2 percent. The average muscle thickness increase at the one-month follow-up was 20.5 percent, and at the three-month follow-up, it was 21.3 percent. The distance between the rectus abdominis muscles was reduced by 16.7 percent at the first follow-up visit and by 22.7 percent at three-month follow-up visit. The nine subjects who attended the six-month visit showed, on average, a 17.6-percent fat reduction, 21.7-percent increase in muscle, and a 23.2-percent reduction of abdominal separation. Weight did not change significantly. Conclusion: HIFEM treatments appeared to reduce the fat layer and width of abdominal separation, while increasing the thickness of abdominal muscle thickness in postpartum women. The observed results at one month post-procedure were improved at three months post-procedure and remained stable at the six-month follow-up visit. Future studies that include a control or sham group are needed to identify and reduce the risk of bias.