Efficacy Study of the Effect of Low Level Laser Light Therapy on Reducing Upper Arm Circumference

Upper arm body contouring is designed to remove excess skin and/or fatty tissue from the upper arms. Cosmetic procedures are growing in prevalence, upper arm body contouring procedures increased 4059% from 2000 to 2008, and in 2009, just over 16,100 upper arm lifts were performed in the United States (U.S.). Currently available procedures to reduce upper arm circumference include brachioplasty (arm lift), a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fatty tissue from the upper arm; liposuction of localized fatty deposits in the upper arm; and diet and exercise to reduce excess body fat. Both brachioplasty and liposuction are surgical procedures with risks and potential complications including trauma; fluid accumulation requiring drainage; injury to the skin; infection; permanent scars; and complications from anesthesia. Low level laser light therapy offers a safe, non-invasive and essentially risk-free alternative to reducing upper arm circumference.

The device being evaluated for the reduction of upper arm circumference, the Erchonia ML Scanner (MLS) is cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under K082609 for "... use as a non-invasive dermatological aesthetic treatment for the reduction of circumference of hips, waist, and thighs." Furthermore, FDA identifies this generic type of device as: "A Low Level Laser System for Aesthetic Use is a device using low level laser energy for the disruption of adipocyte cells within the fat layer for the release of fat and lipids from these cells for non-invasive aesthetic use." Therefore, the biochemical effect of the Erchonia® MLS low level laser light therapy device stimulates the mitochondria of the adipocyte cells which in turn increases the production of Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP). The newly synthesized ATP triggers the up-regulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). cAMP has been shown to stimulate cytoplasmic lipase, triggering the conversion of triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol that can easily pass through the cell membrane. The transitory pore is evidence that the laser is allowing for the movement of fatty acids, glycerol, and triglycerides to pass across the membrane and into extra-cellular space. Through vasodilation of nearby blood vessels and arteries, oxidization of the triglycerides and fatty acids occurs within the extra-cellular space.

Inclusion criteria

• Subject indicated for liposuction, or use of liposuction techniques, for the removal of localized deposits of adipose tissues that do not respond to diet and exercise; specifically for the indication of body contouring of the bilateral upper arms (As per the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery's 2006 Guidelines for Liposuction Surgery developed by A joint Ad Hoc Committee of the American Society of Liposuction Surgery (ASLSS) and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS)), and/or for the procedure of brachioplasty (upper arm lift).
• Body Mass Index (BMI) of 20 to 35 kg/m².
• Subject is willing and able to abstain from partaking in any treatment other than the study procedure to promote body contouring and/or weight loss during study participation.
• Subject is willing and able to maintain his or her regular (typical pre-study procedure) diet and exercise regimen without effecting significant change in either direction during study participation.

Exclusion criteria

• Subject is seeking upper arm body contouring as a means of weight loss.
• Diabetes dependent on insulin or oral hypoglycemic medications.
• Known cardiovascular disease such as cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure.
• Cardiac surgeries such as cardiac bypass, heart transplant surgery, pacemakers.
• Prior surgical intervention for body sculpting of the arms, such as liposuction or brachioplasty.
• Prior surgical intervention for weight loss, such as stomach stapling, lap band surgery.
• Medical, physical, or other contraindications for body sculpting/weight loss.
• Current use of medication(s) known to affect weight levels and/or to cause bloating or swelling and for which abstinence during the course of study participation is not safe or medically prudent.
• Any medical condition known to affect weight levels and/or to cause bloating or swelling.
• Mastectomy or operations in the axilla lymph nodes.
• Active infection, wound or other external trauma to the areas to be treated with the laser.
• Pregnant, breast feeding, or planning pregnancy prior to the end of study participation.
• Serious mental health illness such as Alzheimer's, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; psychiatric hospitalization in past two years.
• Developmental disability or cognitive impairment that in the professional judgment of the study Principal Investigator (PI) would preclude adequate comprehension of the informed consent form and/or ability to record the necessary study measurements.
• Photosensitivity disorder.
• Active or recurrent cancer or currently receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
• Involvement in litigation/worker's compensation claim/receiving disability benefits related to weight-related and/or body shape issues.
• Participation in any type of research in the past 30 days.