PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL EFFICACY OF A 2% AMINOPHYLLINE-BASED THIGH REDUCING CREAM.

Abstract

1019 Aminophylline-based creams are marketed as fat reducing agents for the thighs. The purposes of this study were to determine if: 1) a thigh reducing cream would influence body image, 2) product price would influence perception of effectiveness and, 3) the product would decrease thigh size. Serving as their own control, 11 women with thigh cellulite were randomly assigned to a double-blinded, counterbalanced cream treatment with 2% aminophylline (A) on one leg and a placebo (P) on the other (age: 26±7 yrs.; BMI: 23±2 kg/m2; Body Fat (BF): 24±4%; VO2: 39±4 ml/kg/min). They were also randomly assigned into a fictitious expensive (E) or inexpensive (I) cream treatment group. In the lab, subjects massaged 4.5 g of either A or P cream for 1 min into each thigh 5 d/wk for 6 wks. Pre/post testing was done 1 wk prior and immediately after the 6 wk intervention. Dependent measures included thigh girth and skinfolds (distal, mid, proximal to patella) and psychological indices (mood, body image, rating of effectiveness). Results: No significant differences (NSD) were found at baseline between the E vs. I groups for VO2, %BF, or BMI (Independent T's, p>.20). NSD were found for the right vs. left thigh measures at baseline, nor for pre-post measures of VO2, %BF, or BMI (Paired T's, p>.22). NSD were found for skinfold and girth measures between A vs. P-treated thighs (Paired T's, p>.10). Subjects in both the E and I groups reported improved thigh image (Friedman 2-way ANOVA, p=.046), but neither the E nor I group were influenced by product cost (Mann-Whitney U-Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test, p>.17). Conclusions: The 2% A cream was not effective in reducing thigh size, however, the subjects felt more positive about their thighs and overall body build. (Partially supported by FAU Foundation)