The effect of functional stretching exercises on functional outcomes in spastic stroke patients: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Background

Stroke is the biggest cause of disability in adults. Spasticity is a primary impairment of stroke with a highly variable prevalence. In the present research, we aimed to determine the impact of functional stretching exercises on functional outcomes in stroke patients.

Effects of a late-phase exercise program after total hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a late-phase exercise program for patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) 4 to 12 months earlier. DESIGN: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Exercises were performed in subjects' homes. Exercise instruction and measurements taken before and after the trial were performed in an outpatient research and treatment center. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 34 adults 4 to 12 months post-THA randomly allocated to experimental or control groups. Twenty-eight subjects completed the study. INTERVENTION: An 8-week, hip-exercise intervention, during which the control group received basic isometric and active range of motion exercises; the experimental group received strength and postural stability exercises. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Score on the 12-Item Hip Questionnaire; fear of falling; hip flexor, extensor, abductor, and knee extensor muscle torque; and postural stability in single stance. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant improvement in all measures of self-perceived function, muscle strength (hip flexors, 24.4%; hip extensors, 47.8%; hip abductors, 41.2%; knee extensors, 23.4%), and postural stability (36.8%) in the experimental group and no significant change in the control group. Neither group had statistically significant changes in fear of falling measures. CONCLUSIONS: An exercise program emphasizing weight bearing and postural stability significantly improved muscle strength, postural stability, and self-perceived function in patients 4 to 12 months after THA.     

Isokinetic eccentric training is more effective than constant load eccentric training for quadriceps rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo compare the effects of conventional (constant load) eccentric training and isokinetic eccentric training on quadriceps muscle mass, strength and functional performance in recreational athletes following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.MethodsThirty recreational male athletes (25 years old) undergoing ACL reconstruction received a standard rehabilitation program. Volunteers were randomized to conventional group (CG; n = 15) or isokinetic group (IG; n = 15) to be engaged in a 6-week (2 sessions/week) quadriceps eccentric training program at the extensor chair or at the isokinetic dynamometer, respectively. Assessments of quadriceps muscle mass (through magnetic resonance imaging), strength (through isokinetic dynamometry) and self-aware functionality (through questionnaire) were performed before and after the training programs. Single leg hop test performance was assessed only at post-training evaluation.ResultsIG had significantly higher improvements than CG (p < 0.05) for all muscle mass outcomes (+17–23% vs. +5–9%), as well as for isometric (+34% vs. +20%) and eccentric (+85% vs. +23%) peak torques. There was no between-group difference (p > 0.05) for concentric peak torque, Lysholm score, and single leg hop test.ConclusionIsokinetic eccentric training promotes greater responses than conventional eccentric training on quadriceps muscle mass and strength of recreational athletes following ACL reconstruction.     

Changes in exercise and musculoskeletal symptoms of novice nurses: A one-year follow-up study

BackgroundNursing is a high-risk occupation for work-related musculoskeletal disorders and many nursing students have a history of musculoskeletal symptoms.AimsTo quantify (1) changes in exercise and musculoskeletal symptoms from pre-registration to 12-month registered nurses, and (2) the best predictor of severity of musculoskeletal symptoms from measures of the five physical fitness components and exercise participation.MethodsIn this longitudinal study, August 2013 to April 2015, 62 (55.9%) of 111 nursing students fitness tested completed questionnaires measuring nursing work history, exercise, and musculoskeletal symptoms at baseline and 12 months post-registration.FindingsNurses’ exercise participation declined post-registration and 38.0% were overweight/obese. At 12 months post-registration, 76.0% experienced musculoskeletal symptoms, mainly affecting the low back, neck, and/or shoulders. Approximately 50% of symptoms were attributed partly/solely to work; yet few were reported to employers or prompted sick leave. For female nurses, increases in whole-body strength were positively associated with increases in whole-body musculoskeletal symptom severity; however, the multiple regression model contained unexplained variability.DiscussionMany nursing students entered nursing with modifiable risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders: overweight/obese, earlier musculoskeletal symptoms, and poor exercise habits. As registered nurses, they showed high lifetime and 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and declining exercise. Reporting musculoskeletal symptoms were undervalued.Conclusion(s)Inadequate exercise and high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among novice registered nurses may contribute to/aggravate musculoskeletal disorders. Nurse leaders should understand the exercise habits and fitness of pre-registration and novice registered nurses to develop interventions towards improving health behaviours to reduce musculoskeletal disorder risk.     

Aerobic exercise training in addition to conventional physiotherapy for chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial

Chan CW, Mok NW, Yeung EW. Aerobic exercise training in addition to conventional physiotherapy for chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective

To examine the effect of adding aerobic exercise to conventional physiotherapy treatment for patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) in reducing pain and disability.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

A physiotherapy outpatient setting in Hong Kong.

Participants

Patients with chronic LBP (N=46) were recruited and randomly assigned to either a control (n=22) or an intervention (n=24) group.

Interventions

An 8-week intervention; both groups received conventional physiotherapy with additional individually tailored aerobic exercise prescribed only to the intervention group.

Main Outcome Measures

Visual analog pain scale, Aberdeen Low Back Pain Disability Scale, and physical fitness measurements were taken at baseline, 8 weeks, and 12 months from the commencement of the intervention. Multivariate analysis of variance was performed to examine between-group differences.

Results

Both groups demonstrated a significant reduction in pain (P<.001) and an improvement in disability (P<.001) at 8 weeks and 12 months; however, no differences were observed between groups. There was no significant difference in LBP relapse at 12 months between the 2 groups (χ²=2.30, P=.13).

Conclusions

The addition of aerobic training to conventional physiotherapy treatment did not enhance either short- or long-term improvement of pain and disability in patients with chronic LBP.     

Effect of physical exercise interventions on musculoskeletal pain in all body regions among office workers: A one-year randomized controlled trial

This study investigated effects of physical exercise on musculoskeletal pain symptoms in all regions of the body, as well as on other musculoskeletal pain in association with neck pain. A single blind randomized controlled trial testing a one-year exercise intervention was performed among 549 office workers; specific neck/shoulder resistance training, all-round physical exercise, or a reference intervention. Pain symptoms were determined by questionnaire screening of twelve selected body regions. Case individuals were identified for each body region as those reporting pain intensities at baseline of 3 or more (scale of 0–9) during the last three months. For neck cases specifically, the additional number of pain regions was counted. Intensity of pain decreased significantly more in the neck, low back, right elbow and right hand in cases of the two exercise groups compared with the reference group (P < 0.0001–0.05). The additional number of pain regions in neck cases decreased in the two exercise groups only (P < 0.01–0.05). In individuals with no or minor pain at baseline, development of pain was minor in all three groups. In conclusion, both specific resistance training and all-round physical exercise for office workers caused better effects than a reference intervention in relieving musculoskeletal pain symptoms in exposed regions of the upper body.     

Effect of active resistive exercise on breast cancer-related lymphedema: a randomized controlled trial

Kim DS, Sim Y-J, Jeong HJ, Kim GC. Effect of active resistive exercise on breast cancer–related lymphedema: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective

To investigate the differences between the effects of complex decongestive physiotherapy with and without active resistive exercise for the treatment of patients with breast cancer–related lymphedema (BCRL).

Design

Randomized control-group study.

Setting

An outpatient rehabilitation clinic.

Participants

Patients (N=40) with diagnosed BCRL.

Interventions

Patients were randomly assigned to either the active resistive exercise group or the nonactive resistive exercise group. In the active resistive exercise group, after complex decongestive physiotherapy, active resistive exercise was performed for 15min/d, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. The nonactive resistive exercise group performed only complex decongestive physiotherapy.

Main Outcome Measures

The circumferences of the upper limbs (proximal, distal, and total) for the volume changes, and the Short Form-36 version 2 questionnaire for the quality of life (QOL) at pretreatment and 8 weeks posttreatment for each patient.

Results

The volume of the proximal part of the arm was significantly more reduced in the active resistive exercise group than that of the nonactive resistive exercise group (P<.05). In the active resistive exercise group, there was significantly more improvement in physical health and general health, as compared with that of the nonactive resistive exercise group (P<.05).

Conclusions

For the treatment of patients with BCRL, active resistive exercise with complex decongestive physiotherapy did not cause additional swelling, and it significantly reduced proximal arm volume and helped improve QOL.     

Primary contact physiotherapy in emergency departments can reduce length of stay for patients with peripheral musculoskeletal injuries compared with secondary contact physiotherapy: a prospective non-randomised controlled trial

Objective

To evaluate if direct physiotherapy assessment and management of patients presenting to emergency departments with musculoskeletal injuries (primary contact physiotherapy) results in reduced length of stay without any increase in adverse effects compared with secondary contact physiotherapy, where patients are seen by a physiotherapist after initial assessment by a doctor.

Design

Prospective non-randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Three metropolitan emergency departments.

Participants

Adults (n = 315) presenting to emergency departments with peripheral musculoskeletal injuries were allocated to primary or secondary contact physiotherapy; 306 participants completed the study. Patients with serious pathology, open fractures and spinal pain were excluded.

Intervention

A single episode of physiotherapy.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcome measures were patient length of stay, waiting time and treatment time. Secondary outcome measures were re-presentations to the emergency department, imaging referrals, patient satisfaction and emergency department staff acceptance.

Results

Primary contact physiotherapy resulted in a reduction in length of stay of 59.5 minutes [95% confidence interval (CI) 38.4 to 80.6] compared with secondary contact physiotherapy, with a reduced waiting time of 25.0 minutes (95%CI 12.1 to 38.0) and a reduced treatment time of 34.9 minutes (95%CI 16.2 to 53.6). There were no differences between the groups in imaging referrals or re-presentations. Patients strongly agreed (≥82%) that they were satisfied with their management, and 96% of emergency department staff agreed that primary contact physiotherapists had appropriate skills and knowledge to provide emergency care.

Conclusion

Experienced musculoskeletal physiotherapists working in emergency departments can be the first point of contact for patients with simple, semi-urgent and non-urgent peripheral musculoskeletal injuries, resulting in decreased waiting times and length of stay for patients without any adverse effects.     

Effects of inner muscle resistance exercise on stress urinary incontinence: a randomized clinical controlled trial

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of co-contraction resistance exercises of the transverse abdominal and pelvic floor muscles in middle-aged females with stress urinary incontinence. [Participants and Methods] We included 32 females with stress urinary incontinence and divided them into two groups: the inner muscle training group and the pelvic floor muscle group. The thickness of the transverse abdominal muscle was measured during four tasks: (1) rest, (2) maximum contraction of the transverse abdominal muscle, (3) maximum contraction of the pelvic floor muscle, and (4) maximum co-contraction of the transverse abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. In the latter three tasks, measurements were obtained while the participants performed resistance movements using a Thera-band^®. A home program was conducted in both groups, and the intervention lasted for 8 weeks. [Results] The cure rates for SUI were 87.5% and 68.8% in the inner muscle training and pelvic floor muscle groups, respectively. After the intervention, the thickness of the transverse abdominal muscle significantly increased in the inner muscle training groups performing maximum co-contraction of the transverse abdominal and pelvic floor muscles and maximum contraction of the transverse abdominal muscle. [Conclusion] Inner muscle training exercises are more effective than pelvic floor muscle exercises in improving inner muscle function and urinary incontinence in middle-aged females.     

Aerobic exercise versus combined exercise therapy in women with fibromyalgia syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

Sañudo B, Galiano D, Carrasco L, Blagojevic M, de Hoyo M, Saxton J. Aerobic exercise versus combined exercise therapy in women with fibromyalgia syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective

To investigate the effects of supervised aerobic exercise (AE) and a combined program of supervised aerobic, muscle strengthening, and flexibility exercises (combined exercise [CE]) on important health outcomes in women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Community-based supervised intervention.

Participants

Women (N=64) with a diagnosis of FMS according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria.

Intervention

Participants were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups: supervised AE, supervised CE, or usual-care control. Exercise sessions were performed twice weekly (45–60min/session) for 24 weeks.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome measure was the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Exploratory outcome measures were the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), aerobic capacity (6-minute walk test), hand-grip strength, and range of motion in the shoulders and hips.

Results

Compliance with both interventions was excellent, with women in the exercise groups attending more than 85% of sessions. A 14% to 15% improvement from baseline in total FIQ score was observed in the exercise groups (P≤.02) and was accompanied by decreases in BDI scores of 8.5 (P<.001) and 6.4 (P<.001) points in the AE and CE groups, respectively. Relative to nonexercising controls, CE evoked improvements in the SF-36 Physical Functioning (P=.003) and Bodily Pain (P=.003) domains and was more effective than AE for evoking improvements in the Vitality (P=.002) and Mental Health (P=.04) domains. Greater improvements also were observed in shoulder/hip range of motion and handgrip strength in the CE group.

Conclusion

Given the equivalent time commitment required for AE and CE, our results suggest that women with FMS can gain additional health benefits by engaging in a similar volume of CE.     

The effects of neck mobilization in patients with chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled trial

Objective

To determine the effect of mobilization and routine physiotherapy on pain, disability, neck range of motion (ROM) and neck muscle endurance (NME) in patients having chronic mechanical neck pain (NP).

Dry needling of the trapezius muscle in office workers with neck pain: a randomized clinical trial

Background: Neck pain is a frequent complaint in office workers. This pain can be caused by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the trapezius muscle. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of deep dry needling (DDN) of active MTrPs in the trapezius muscle.

Methods: A randomized, single blinded clinical trial was carried out at the Physical Therapy Department at Physiotherapy in Women's Health Research Group at Physical Therapy Department of University of Alcalá, in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. Forty-four office workers with neck pain and active MTrPs in the trapezius muscle were randomly allocated to either the DDN or the control group (CG). The participants in the DDN group were treated with DDN of all MTrPs found in the trapezius muscle. They also received passive stretch of the trapezius muscle. The CG received the same passive stretch of the trapezius muscle only. The primary outcome measure was subjective pain intensity, measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes were pressure pain threshold (PPT), cervical range of motion (CROM) and muscle strength. Data were collected at baseline, after interventions and 15?days after the last treatment.

Results: Differences were found between the DDN group and the CG for the VAS (P?P?P?P?Discussion: Deep dry needling and passive stretch seems to be more effective than passive stretch only. The effects are maintained in the short term. The results support the use of DDN in the management of trapezius muscle myofascial pain syndrome in neck pain.     

Scapular movement training versus standardized exercises for individuals with chronic shoulder pain: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundScapular focused exercise interventions are frequently used to treat individuals with shoulder pain. However, evidence for changes in scapular motion after intervention is limited.ObjectiveTo compare the effects of scapular movement training versus standardized exercises for individuals with shoulder pain.MethodsThis will be a single-blinded randomized controlled trial. Sixty-four individuals with shoulder pain for at least 3 months, scapular dyskinesis, and a positive scapular assistance test will be randomly allocated to one of two groups: Scapular Movement Training (group 1) and Standardized Exercises (group 2). Group 1 will receive education about scapular position and movement, and be trained to modify the scapular movement pattern. Group 2 will perform stretching and strengthening exercises. Both groups will be treated twice a week for eight weeks. Three-dimensional scapular kinematics and muscle activity of the serratus anterior and upper, middle, and lower trapezius during elevation and lowering of the arm will be assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment. Pain intensity, function, fear avoidance beliefs, and kinesiophobia will be assessed at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of treatment.ConclusionsThe results of this study may contribute to a better understanding of the efficacy of scapular focused treatments for individuals with shoulder pain. Clinical trial registration: NCT03528499     

Long‐term follow‐up of tailored behavioural treatment and exercise based physical therapy in persistent musculoskeletal pain: A randomized controlled trial in primary care

This study examined long‐term effects of a tailored behavioural treatment protocol (TBT), as compared with an exercise based physical therapy protocol (EBT). One‐hundred and twenty‐two patients who, due to persistent musculoskeletal pain, consulted physical therapists in primary care were originally randomized to either of the two conditions. Follow‐up assessments two‐year post‐treatment were completed by 65 participants. According to per‐protocol analyses, short‐term effects were maintained in both groups for the primary outcome, pain‐related disability. The TT‐group reported lower disability levels compared with the EBT‐group. Intention‐to‐treat analyses (ITT) conveyed similar results. Secondary outcomes of pain intensity, pain control, and functional self‐efficacy were maintained over the 2‐year post‐treatment, but previous group differences were levelled out according to the most conservative method of ITT. Fear of movement/(re)injury increased in the EBT‐group, and EBT participants reported higher fear of movement/(re)injury two years post‐treatment compared to TT. The study supports tailoring of treatments in concordance with patients’ needs and preferences of activity goals and functional behavioural analyses including predictors of pain‐related disability, for successful immediate outcomes and their maintenance in the long run. Exercise‐based treatments resulted in somewhat smaller immediate treatment effects but had similar maintenance of effects over the 2‐year follow‐up period.     

Effects of a multidisciplinary disease management programme with or without exercise training for heart failure patients: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundHeart failure is a complex syndrome that causes substantial functional impairment and poor outcomes. Although multidisciplinary disease management programmes are effective, the role of additional outpatient-based exercise training and the effects of multidisciplinary disease management programmes for patients with contraindications to exercise training are unclear.ObjectivesTo compare the effects of the multidisciplinary disease management programme with and without exercise training on heart failure-related rehospitalization, disease knowledge, and functional capacity.DesignSecondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.Participants and SettingData for 212 patients hospitalized for heart failure at a local teaching hospital in Taiwan were analysed.MethodsPatients’ data were assigned to three groups: control (n = 71), multidisciplinary disease management programme without exercise training (n = 70) or multidisciplinary disease management programme with exercise training (n = 71). The multidisciplinary disease management programme included comprehensive assessments, individualized education, optimizing medications, pre-scheduled clinic visits, and encouraging regular physical activity at home. Outpatient-based exercise training was performed only in the multidisciplinary disease management programme with exercise training group. The control and the multidisciplinary disease management programme without exercise training groups were further divided into subgroups with and without contraindications to exercise training. Patients were followed up monthly for heart failure-related rehospitalizations for 1 year. Cox proportional hazard models and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to identify the significant predictors of heart failure-related rehospitalizations. A generalized estimation equation model was used to analyse the secondary outcomes, including disease knowledge and 6-min walking distance at baseline and 6 and 12 months after discharge.ResultsAt 12 months after discharge, the multidisciplinary disease management programme with and without exercise training groups had significantly lower heart failure-related rehospitalization rates and better disease knowledge compared with the control group (p < 0.01). Only the multidisciplinary disease management programme with exercise training group had a significant improvement in 6-min walking distance (p < 0.05). For patients with contraindications to exercise, the multidisciplinary disease management programme significantly reduced heart failure-related rehospitalization rates at 12 months after discharge (p < 0.05). For those without contraindications, the event-lowering effect was only noted for the multidisciplinary disease management programme with exercise training group (p < 0.05).ConclusionsOutpatient-based exercise training is recommended to be incorporated into multidisciplinary disease management programmes for patients without exercise contraindications to improve disease outcomes and functional capacity. For patients with contraindications to exercise, a multidisciplinary disease management programme is recommended to improve patient outcomes.     

Physical therapist-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy and exercise for older outpatients with knee osteoarthritis: a pilot randomized controlled trial

[Purpose] In this pilot study, we investigated the effectiveness of physical therapist-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy in older outpatients with knee osteoarthritis and chronic pain. [Participants and Methods] This single-center, open-label, parallel-group pilot randomized controlled trial included 30 patients assigned to the physical therapist-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy group (n=15) and the usual care physical therapy-only group (n=15). Both treatments were administered once a week for 8 weeks. Evaluation was performed 4 weeks before intervention, pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 4 weeks after intervention. The primary outcome was diagnosis of a physical disability, and secondary outcomes included psychological inflexibility, pain intensity, anxiety, depression, physical function, and objectively measured physical activity. [Results] Physical therapist-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy had a limited effect on physical disability, although we observed a favorable tendency. With regard to secondary outcomes, physical therapist-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy did not show significant effects. Notably, 15 patients withdrew from this study and 6 were diagnosed with coronavirus disease. [Conclusion] Physical therapist-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy did not appear to show significant effects in the present study. It is necessary to correct these issues in this study, and future studies are warranted to investigate the effects of this therapy.     

Does the speed of aquatic therapy exercise alter arm volume in women with breast cancer related lymphoedema? A cross-over randomized controlled trial

Objective

To identify whether slow aquatic exercise in the form of modified Ai Chi is more effective than conventional (faster pace) aquatic therapy at reducing arm volume in women with or at risk of breast cancer related lymphoedema.

Water-based exercise for cardiovascular fitness in people with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of an 8-week, water-based exercise program (experimental group) with that of an upper-extremity function program (control group) to increase cardiovascular fitness within a community setting for people with stroke. DESIGN: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Public community center. PARTICIPANTS: A volunteer sample of 12 community-dwelling people with stroke with mild to moderate residual motor deficits. INTERVENTION: Study subjects participated in group exercise programs for 1 hour, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The experimental group exercised in chest-deep water at targeted heart rates. The control group performed arm and hand exercises while sitting.Main outcome measures The primary outcome measure was cardiovascular fitness (V(O2)max). Secondary measures were maximal workload, muscle strength, gait speed, and the Berg Balance Scale score. RESULTS: The experimental group attained significant improvements over the control group in cardiovascular fitness, maximal workload, gait speed, and paretic lower-extremity muscle strength. The relatively short program (8 wk) of water-based exercise resulted in a 22% improvement in cardiovascular fitness in a small group of people with stroke who had relatively high function. CONCLUSIONS: A water-based exercise program undertaken as a group program may be an effective way to promote fitness in people with stroke.     

Effects of cryolipolysis on lower abdomen fat thickness of healthy women and patient satisfaction: a randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo analyze the effects of cryolipolysis on the fat thickness of the lower abdomen of healthy women and patient's satisfaction.MethodsDesign and setting: a randomized controlled trial, with concealed allocation and blinded assessor. Participants: 34 healthy women between 18 and 48 years, skinfold in the lower abdomen ≥3 cm, BMI between 18.5 and 27 kg/m², low level of physical activity, and no contraindication to cryolipolysis were allocated to intervention group (IG, n = 17) or control group (CG, n = 17). Interventions: The IG received one session of cryolipolysis with −10 °C of temperature for 50 min. The CG was not submitted to any kind of intervention. Both groups did the evaluation protocols at baseline, 30, 60 and 90 days after the intervention. Main outcome measures: fat thickness was measured by ultrasonography (US), skinfold (SF) and abdominal circumference (AC1 and AC2).ResultsNo significant differences between the IG and CG were demonstrated at any evaluation at any time of follow up for the variables US (30 days: 0.05 cm (95%CI: −0.12; 0.22), 60 days: 0.05 cm (95%CI: −0.11; 0.20) and 90 days: 0.04 cm (95%CI: −0.7; 0.25)), SF (30 days: −0.09 cm (95%CI: −0.25; 0.08), 60 days: −0.14 cm (95%CI: −0.36; 0.09) and 90 days: −0.001 cm (95%CI: −0.237; 0.234)), AC1 (30 days: 0.42 cm (95%CI: −1.1; 1.9), 60 days: −0.1 cm (95%CI: −1.74; 1.54) and 90 days: −0.007 cm (−1.9; 1.9)) and AC2 (30 days: 0.183 cm (95%CI: −0.84; 1.20), 60 days: −0.13 cm (95%CI: −1.61; 1.35) and 90 days: −0.31 cm (95%CI: −1.61; 1.00)).ConclusionsThe current study showed that a single application of the utilized protocol of cryolipolysis does not produce any significant effect on fat thickness of the lower abdomen of healthy women.Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT03160976 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03160976).Contribution of the Paper: the study is one of the first studies in the literature with methodological rigor to report an unfavorable result for localized abdominal fat treatment with a single session of cryolipolysis.