Effects of Therapeutic Ultrasound on Lipedema Adipose Tissue

Autori

Nadia Aprea ( Napoli, Italia)

Patricia Froes Meyer (San Paolo, Brasile)

Background and aims

Lipedema is a chronic condition marked by abnormal adipose tissue accumulation, predominantly in the lower limbs, and is associated with pain, edema, and reduced quality of life. Treatment options include conservative and surgical approaches. Therapeutic ultrasound, a conservative modality, utilizes high-frequency sound waves to produce thermal and mechanical effects, aiding in edema reduction, fibrosis improvement, and enhanced lymphatic drainage. It may also promote lipolysis, increase cell membrane permeability, and improve circulation, though its specific effects on lipedema-related adipose tissue remain unclear.
This study aimed to investigate the clinical effects of therapeutic ultrasound on adipose tissue in patients with lipedema.

Methods

Lipedema is a chronic condition marked by abnormal adipose tissue accumulation, predominantly in the lower limbs, and is associated with pain, edema, and reduced quality of life. Treatment options include conservative and surgical approaches. Therapeutic ultrasound, a conservative modality, utilizes high-frequency sound waves to produce thermal and mechanical effects, aiding in edema reduction, fibrosis improvement, and enhanced lymphatic drainage. It may also promote lipolysis, increase cell membrane permeability, and improve circulation, though its specific effects on lipedema-related adipose tissue remain unclear.
This study aimed to investigate the clinical effects of therapeutic ultrasound on adipose tissue in patients with lipedema.

Results

: Most participants were classified as clinical stage 2 (45.3%) or stage 3 (32%), with 84% presenting type III lipedema. Adherence to regular physical activity was low during the treatment (38%). Statistically significant reductions in limb circumference were observed (p < 0.05, ANOVA), indicating clinically relevant changes. The most pronounced reductions occurred in the lower and mid-thigh regions, with p < 0.0011 and p < 0.0003 (10 and 20 cm above the right knee) and p < 0.0108 and p < 0.0032 (10 and 20 cm above the left knee). These findings support the hypothesis that therapeutic ultrasound may reduce adipose tissue in lipedema through mechanisms similar to those observed in conventional adipose tissue.

Conclusion

Therapeutic ultrasound appears to be a promising non-invasive intervention for adipose tissue reduction in lipedema patients, contributing to symptom relief and potentially enhancing quality of life. Further research is warranted to explore its effects on functional outcomes, quality of life, and to better understand its mechanism of action in lipedema.

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