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| An Australian Medical Research team, was commissioned, by the Australian Medical Association, to conduct an in-depth study of the Hawkins electrokinetic neuromuscular stimulating machine and to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the device as a method of localized adipose tissue (fat) reduction and general weight removal. The following is a reprint of their report, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, Vol: 1-63. No 21. | ||||||
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| In recent years a number of
techniques have been promulgated for the localized, non-surgical reduction of adipose
tissue. These range from mechanical heating devices, occlusive plastic wraps and garments,
to electrical pulse generators which produce repetitive muscular contractions in the
affected areas. We have investigated the usefulness of the apparatus known as the Hawkins electrokinetic neuromuscular stimulating machine. In essence, this apparatus is an automatically cycling, multiple output, neuromuscular stimulator which produces trains of pulses with variable pulse repetition frequency. The individual pulses are of short duration and of low energy, but at appropriate gain levels the pulse trains produce rhythmic and powerful muscular contractions when they are fed to the muscle by skin contact electrodes. It is claimed that repeated applications of such pulse stimulation produce breakdown of adipose tissue by localized passive exercise of the muscle unit, and so afford a generalized size and weight reduction. The usual treatment session lasts 30 minutes, and is repeated three to five times weekly. The conductive rubber electrode pads are placed over those parts of the body where muscular contractions are desired, and the gain levels are adjusted so as to produce maximum muscle contractions without discomfort. During the treatment period of 4 to 6 weeks the patient is given some simple dietary rules but generally no caloric restrictions are imposed. In this trial a series of 40 moderately obese female patients were selected to attend at Hawkins Clinics in Sydney and Melbourne. All patients volunteered, and no charges were made. At the beginning of the trial, all patients were photographed, measured and accurately weighed on a beam balance. Blood was taken for full biochemical profile, and full haematological examination was also carried out. Surface measurements were made at predetermined body points before, during and at the end of the trial, and operators in both Sydney and Melbourne Clinics were instructed to record findings on the standardized diagrams supplied. Patients were given a course of six weeks treatment (three one hour sessions per week) followed by a four week break with no specific instructions. They were then required to attend for a second six weeks treatment period following which the final measurements were made. No attempt was made to regulate the patient's diet or exercise during the four week middle period, which was included as a balancing device to lessen any psychological halo effect. The age range of the patients was from 13 to 62 with a mean age of 34.35 years (Sx = 10.89, Sx = 1.72). |
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 Of the thirty Sydney patients and the ten Melbourne patients completing the trial, all lost weight in significant amounts. Weight losses ranged from 2.2 Kg (5 lbs) to 21.5 Kg (48 lbs) with a mean loss weight of 7.83 Kg (17.6 lbs). Twenty patients (50%) in the series lost less than 7.83 Kg., but even in this group significant losses were noted in specific tissue regions such as upper arms, abdomen and particularly in the thighs. All patients showed a reduction in body surface area and all showed localized reductions in fat depot areas. There were no side effects of the treatment, and all patients expressed satisfaction with the weight and tissue losses achieved. |
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 The Hawkins Apparatus provides a safe and effective modality for localized adipose tissue reduction and general weight removal. This change is brought about by the application of high frequency pulses to muscle groups at regular intervals. Statistically significant reductions in localized tissue regions and in general body weight occurred in all 40 patients in this series. |
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Dr. Ronald G. Moore |
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HOMEPAGE |
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