Posterior thigh thermal skin adaptations to radiofrequency treatment at 448 kHz applied with or without Indiba(®) fascia treatment tools

[Purpose] This study aimed to evaluate the posterior thigh’s skin thermal responses to 448-kHz radiofrequency-based therapy applied either in the form of standard application (Indiba(®)Activ) or combined soft tissue treatment (Indiba(®)Fascia treatment). [Participants and Methods] Ten healthy males (22 ± 3 years of age, weight 75.2 ± 4.9 kg, height 178.5 ± 4.7) received four different treatments which included a) Indiba(®)Activ (IA) radiofrequency treatment, b) Indiba(®)Fascia (IF), c) Indiba(®)Activ placebo (IAP) and d) Indiba(®)Fascia Placebo (IFP) in the posterior thigh of their dominant lower limb, while the non-dominant served as the control. Skin temperature was recorded pre- and post-treatment and every minute until the surface temperature reached pre-treatment levels using a wireless infrared thermometer. [Results] Both radiofrequency-based therapy groups IA and IF led to a significant increase in skin temperature compared to placebo applications. The IF intervention led to an average retention of elevated temperature for 164.2 minutes compared to 54.8 minutes of IA, 23.17 of IFP and 17.6 minutes of IAP. [Conclusion] These findings indicate that radiofrequency treatment at 448 kHz can induce and sustain significant thermal skin adaptations reflecting an increased blood circulation and metabolism of underlying tissues.