Key Takeaway
Carboxytherapy reduced abdominal fat at 1 week but the effect was not maintained at 6 months, suggesting temporary metabolic effects without adipocyte death.
Summary
This rigorous randomized, sham-controlled, split-body study tested carboxytherapy for abdominal fat reduction. Adults (BMI 22-29) received 5 weekly treatments of 1000 cm³ CO2 on one side of the abdomen and sham treatments on the other side.
Key finding: Fat reduction was significant at 1 week post-treatment but disappeared by 28 weeks, suggesting carboxytherapy causes temporary adipocyte shrinkage rather than permanent cell destruction.
Methods
- Randomized, sham-controlled, split-body design
- Adults with BMI 22-29 kg/m²
- 5 weekly sessions of 1000 cm³ CO2 vs sham
- Ultrasound measurement of fat thickness
- Follow-up at 1 week and 28 weeks post-treatment
Key Results
- 1 week post-treatment: Significant fat reduction on treated side (p=0.011)
- 28 weeks post-treatment: No significant difference between sides
- Treatment was well-tolerated
- Suggests temporary metabolic process reducing adipocyte size
- No evidence of adipocyte death
Limitations
- Modest sample size
- Some measurement variability
- Single treatment protocol (other protocols may differ)
- Abdominal location only