Abstract
Obesity and overweight is a global health crisis and novel methods of treatment are needed to address it. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a currently available non-invasive procedure for lysing excess fat, but there is a lack of consensus exists on LLLT frequency and limited research from studies of LLLT. The purpose of this pilot study is to compare the effect of three of the most common LLLT frequencies on weight, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and quality of life. Sixty overweight (body mass index (BMI) 25–29.9 kg/m2) adult participants were randomized to 12 LLLT treatments: (1) three times weekly for 4 weeks, (2) twice weekly for 6 weeks, or (3) once weekly for 12 weeks. All participants attended an in-person visit at baseline and at weeks 4, 6, 12, and 26. Participants were recruited September 30, 2016 through to August 27, 2017. The majority of the 60 participants were female (90%) with an average age of 43.7 years (± 9.2 years). Most participants (98%) completed 10 or more of the 12 LLLT treatments. When comparing across treatment groups, the greatest reductions from baseline were observed in those assigned to twice weekly for 6 weeks in weight (1 ± 1.7 (±SD) kg by week 6), waist circumference (− 2.0 ± 3.2 in. by week 6 and − 1.5 ± 3.2 in. by week 26), body mass index (− 0.4 ± 0.6 kg/m2), and body fat mass (− 1.1 ± 1.6 kg). This group also had the most significant improvement from baseline in quality of life (+ 0.5 ± 0.8 by week 6), body satisfaction (+ 0.2 ± 0.4 by week 6 and week 26), and body appreciation (+ 0.2 ± 0.3 by week 6 and + 0.3 ± 0.3 by week 26). LLLT twice weekly for 6 weeks could be proposed as the optimal frequency and duration for the management of body weight. Trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02877004. Registered August 24, 2016.
Highlights
In the USA, about 97 million adults are overweight, accounting for about 33% of the adult population [1]
Three frequencies of level laser therapy (LLLT) treatment therapy were examined and results indicate that treating adults twice weekly for 6 weeks was the best option for adults who are overweight and motivated to lose weight compared to once a week or 3 times a week
For group B (2 LLLTs per week for 6 weeks), a significant reduction was noted when compared to group A (3 LLLTs per week for 4 weeks) in weight and body mass index (BMI); within groups, a significant reduction from baseline was noted in group B for weight, BMI, body fat mass, and percent body fat at weeks 4 and 6, as well as a reduction in visceral fat level at weeks 4, 6, and 12; a reduction was noted in waist circumference at weeks 4, 6, 12, and 26; a significant waist-to-hip ratio reduction was noted at week 12; improvement in body area satisfaction and body appreciation was noted at weeks 6, 12, and 26 and improvement in overall quality of life at weeks 6 and 12
Summary
In the USA, about 97 million adults are overweight, accounting for about 33% of the adult population [1]. Lowlevel laser therapy (LLLT) is a novel non-invasive procedure that lyses excess fat without the negative side effects associated with surgical methods such as liposuction. LLLT has been associated with reductions in waist circumference of 6– 12 in. LLLT has the potential to enhance motivation for weight management treatments by providing immediate positive feedback through reductions in waist circumference recognizable by the individual. A variety of mechanisms of action have been proposed to explain how LLLT reduces body fat [2]. The two most popular theories include the lysing of the adipocytes producing transient pores in the cell membrane allowing lipids to flow out [3] and the initiation of lipid peroxidation by LLLT, which temporarily damages the cellular membrane of the adipocytes by creating pores [4]. Other potential mechanisms are discussed in recent review by Avci et al [2]
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