title: Low-Level Laser Therapy for Reducing the Hip, Waist, and Upper Abdomen Circumference of Individuals with Obesity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for reducing hip, thigh, and abdomen circumference of individuals with body-mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40 kg/m2.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Previous studies demonstrated the effectiveness of LLLT for reducing body circumference in the hips, thighs, and abdomen of nonobese individuals with a BMI <30 kg/m2.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized, double-blind sham-controlled study, obese, but otherwise healthy, individuals were randomized to undergo 30-min LLLT (n = 28) or sham treatments (n = 25) three times weekly for 4 weeks. Body measurements were obtained after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment and 2 weeks post-treatment ( ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01821352).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 4 weeks, 20 LLLT-treated subjects (71.43%) achieved ≥7.2 cm decrease in combined measurements versus three sham-treated subjects (12%; p < 0.00005). The mean (standard deviation) decrease in combined measurement for LLLT-treated subjects was 10.52 (7.59) cm (p < 0.0001 vs. baseline) versus 1.80 (3.20) cm for sham-treated subjects. Among subjects with a combined ≥7.2 cm decrease, the mean total decrease 2 weeks post-treatment was 15.21 cm. There were no adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on these results, the device was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a noninvasive esthetic treatment for reduction of circumference of hips, waist, and upper abdomen when applied to individuals with a BMI between 30 and 40 kg/m2.
authors.affiliation: 1 Bloomfield Laser and Cosmetic Surgery Center , Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
authors.forename: Gregory C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Roche
authors.affiliation: 2 Erchonia Corporation , McKinney, Texas.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shanks
authors.affiliation: 3 Surgeon's, Inc. , Marion, Indiana.
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.affiliation: 4 Holsey Cosmetic Surgery & Spa , Midwest City, Oklahoma.
authors.forename: Laura Jane
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Holsey
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006615:Hip; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D055105:Waist Circumference
keywords: body sculpting; circumference reduction; clinical trial; low-level laser therapy; obesity