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Newsletter>
Synergie Studies
May 4, 2007
Study Results: The Effectiveness of Synergie AMS™
Treatments in Reducing the Appearance of Cellulite
Robert L. Youngblood, M.D.
James E. Pickens, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Background and Purpose
Vacuum massage devices are currently used to deliver
massage treatments for aesthetic improvement in the
superficial fat layer of the skin. This study of 48 female
subjects was designed to measure and document the effects
of vacuum massage treatments with the Synergie AMS™ device.
The purpose of this study was not only to observe whether
changes in the appearance of cellulite may be derived, but
also to measure whether and to what degree areas treated
may expect to experience a loss in girth as a result of
treatments. The study was also intended to determine the
effect of adding further factors of exercise and
nutritional supplements to the Synergie AMS™ treatment
regimen.
Method
To accommodate the purpose of the study, four different
criteria were established and applied to four different
groups of women. Groups were identified A, B, C, D.
Group A received AMS treatments only.
Group B received AMS treatments and took nutritional
supplements.
Group C received AMS treatments and added an exercise
regimen.
Group D received AMS treatments, took nutritional
supplements, and added an exercise regimen.
To document results, subjects were measured and
photographed at the start of the study, at the midway
point, and at the end of the study. Each subject was given
a relative cellulite rating from 1 to 5, with 1 indicating
no visible cellulite, and 5 indicating most severe
cellulite. At the end of the study, subjects were asked to
evaluate whether they had seen a reduction in the
appearance of cellulite.
Subjects
A group of volunteer female applicants was screened for
meeting essential criteria: age (20 to 50 years old),
weight (up to 40 pounds over ideal weight),
contraindications (did not have any of the conditions
listed by the manufacturer as contraindicated). A total
number of 48 participants was selected from the applicants
who met this criteria. During the term of the study,
participants were prohibited from taking any dietary
substances for weight loss purposes except the nutritional
supplements provided to Groups B and D in conjunction with
this study. Over the eight-week term of the study, 12
participants discontinued their participation due to
pregnancy, illness, or inability or unwillingness to comply
with criteria: Thirty-six participants completed the study
including 11 from Group A, 8 from Group B, 7 from Group C,
and 10 from Group D.
Apparatus
The Synergie AMS™ device manufactured by Dynatronics was
used to deliver treatments to the study participants. The
device offers 10 vacuum settings and a countdown timer. Two
treatment head sizes were used.
Procedure
All participants in all four groups received a 30-minute
AMS treatment twice a week for eight weeks, for a total of
16 treatments. All participants were instructed not to
change their current eating habits, to drink 6 to 8
(8-ounce) glasses of water daily and up to 3 liters of
water on the day of their treatments, and were prohibited
from participating in a weight loss program during the
study or from taking any weight loss supplements except
those provided to their group (Groups B and D) as a part of
this study. In addition to these instructions, participants
in each group were given specific rules and instructions
for their respective groups.
Group A. No additional instructions or rules applied to
Group A.
Group B. This group was required to take three nutritional
supplements three times daily. The supplements, under the
Synergie NSP™ brand name, included Fat Metabolizer,
CarbAid™, and MetaSlim™.
Group C. This group was required to add a moderate aerobic
exercise regimen for 30 minutes 3 to 5 times a week.
Group D. This group was required to take the nutritional
supplements described for Group B and was required to add
the exercise regimen described for Group C.
Participants were provided with a daily log sheet to record
their individual performance. The log sheet was reviewed by
the AMS treatment technician at each treatment appointment,
and the participant's compliance with the program was
logged in the participant's file.
The AMS massage treatments were delivered primarily to the
thigh, hip, abdomen, and buttocks areas, and to both right
and left sides of the body. At the end of the fourth week
and at the end of the study, each participant was again
measured, and photographed. At the end of the study, each
participant was asked to state a subjective opinion as to
whether or not she had seen a reduction in the appearance
of cellulite.
Data Analysis
Data was compiled in a table with separate tabulations for
each of the four groups; A, B, C, and D. Measurements for
inches lost in the waist, hips, and thighs were added
together for a total of all inches lost for each
individual. Inches lost were averaged by group.
Results
Of the 36 participants who completed the study, 100%
experienced a loss in girth. Table I shows the average
inches lost by group. Group A lost an average of 3.4 total
inches in the areas measured. Group B lost an average of
4.5 inches, Group C an average of 5.4 inches, and Group D
an average of 6.1 inches. Of all 36 participants, 91%
reported a visible reduction in the appearance of
cellulite: 31 reported a visible reduction in the
appearance of cellulite, 3 reported no visible reduction,
and 2 did not report as they did not have visible cellulite
at the start of the study. Of the 3 who reported no visible
reduction, one was a participant in Group A, one in Group
C, and one in Group D.
Conclusions
The reduction in the appearance of cellulite was
essentially the same across all four groups of
participants. Therefore, it is concluded that the AMS
treatments themselves were the single most important factor
resulting in reduction in the appearance of cellulite.
Greater loss of inches was seen when factors of exercise
and nutritional supplements were added. The greatest inch
loss was seen in the group that added both factors of
nutritional supplements and exercise to the AMS treatments.
It is, therefore, concluded that a complete program
including Synergie AMS treatments, exercise, and
nutritional supplements will produce the greatest possible
results in inches lost. 100405
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