The influence of WOC vibrotherapy on cellulite and body circumferences

As recent studies show, vibrotherapy improves the aesthetics of appearance and can be successfully used in cosmetology. One of the basic applications of vibrotherapy could be the fight against cellulite, but the optimal vibration parameters still require research. Therefore, the aim of the presented work of scientists of the Academy of Physical Education in Krakow was to analyze the impact of a 3-week series of oscillatory-cycloid vibrotherapy (wibracja oscylacyjno-cykloidalna, WOC, Vitberg, Poland) on selected body circumferences, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, body obesity and the degree of cellulite changes.

• After 3 weeks of WOC, a reduction in the degree of cellulite was observed,
• waist circumference decreased (including the ratios of waist to hip and to height),
• the circumference of the thighs and hips did not change.
• Both the first and the last WOC treatment allowed to lower the calf circumference, possibly by improving lymphatic drainage.

Prepared on the basis of:

Effect of local vibrotherapy in sitting or lying position in two time protocols on the cellulite grade and change of body circumferences in women with cellulite. Piotrowska A, Czerwińska-Ledwig O. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Aug 9.

Study population

60 healthy women aged 18–45 participated in the study.

Test procedure

Women were randomly assigned to groups that underwent treatments in a sitting (n = 30) or half-supine position (n = 30) and those receiving 30-minute (2 x n = 15) or 60-minute treatments (two 30-minute treatments; 2 x n = 15). WOC treatments were applied 5 times a week (Monday to Friday) for 3 weeks. The waist, hips, thighs and calves circumferences and other parameters were measured immediately before and after the first and last treatment.

The degree of cellulite changes was assessed by palpation and visual method according to the Nürnberger-Müller scale. The evaluation was always made by the same researcher.

Use of vibration in the study

Vibrations were provided by a medical device (Vitberg, Poland) from the RAM Vitberg+ series (currently updated and replaced by Vitberg Recovery System [Vitberg RS]). The Basic Module + Hips Module was used in a sitting or half-supine position (inclination of the backrest by 45 °, calves positioned at an angle of 135 ° in relation to the thighs). The Hips Module is designed specifically for the massage of the buttocks, back of the thighs, hips and waist.

The WOC provided vibrations directed in 3 perpendicular planes (vibrational 3D effect) in accordance with a predefined algorithm (Vitberg), and the vibration was transferred by a motor with a vibrating anvil operating in the range of 18-39 Hz. The vibrations were transferred to the body by three vibration modules, working independently through the use of various forms of vibration propagation in the frequency range 0 – 38 Hz.

Results

After 3 weeks of treatments, all study groups showed a statistically significant reduction in the degree of cellulite, regardless of the treatment time and position. The circumference of the thighs and hips has not changed. Both the first and the last WOC treatment allowed to lower the calf circumference. Decreases in waist circumference (including waist to hip and waist to height ratios) were also observed after 3 weeks of WOC.

Comment

After the WOC treatments, a significant decrease in the degree of cellulite was noticed, but no changes in the circumference of the hips and thighs were observed. WOC could also reduce the calf circumference by improving lymphatic drainage.

Moreover, after WOC procedures, a decrease in waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-height ratio was observed, which cannot be directly associated with cellulite, but may also be a valuable observation in the context of cosmetic procedures.

Presented research has shown that the treatment positions on the devices used do not have to be strictly defined and can be adapted to the individual patient/ client needs, at least in the tested range, and the time of a single treatment does not have to exceed 30 minutes a day.

After further research on a larger scale and using additional methods of assessing cellulite changes and using randomized examined and control groups (placebo), it will be possible to finally answer the question whether the tested device generating oscillating-cycloid vibrations (Vitberg, Poland) and WOC are an effective method of reducing cellulite in women. The presented research, as well as other studies cited in the original publication, hope that the WOC will significantly improve the currently unfavorable situation at the fight against cellulite front.

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