The goal of aesthetic muscle stimulation (AMS) with a high-intensity electromagnetic field (HIFEM) is to stimulate the neurons in skeletal muscle, leading to muscular hypertrophy and fat loss so that the patient can develop a more toned body. A number of studies have looked at AMS for noninvasive body contouring, but the efficacy, safety, and long-term results are all still up in the air. The purpose of this study is to produce a consensus on patient selection for AMS and the long-term effectiveness of AMS for body contouring by conducting a critical analysis of the existing literature. The researchers looked for articles on the topic of “HIFEM,” “Electromagnetic therapy,” and “muscle,” or “Electrical stimulation muscle therapies,” and “aesthetics,” in both PubMed and Embase. This meta-analysis did not include animal studies, in vitro studies, and those that used muscle stimulation for purposes other than aesthetics and dermatology. Based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation scale, 20 studies were included, including data from 521 patients. About 9 studies met the criteria for moderate quality, 8 studies met the criteria for low quality; and 3 studies met the criteria for very low quality. Abdomen (378 patients), buttocks (156 patients), arms (22 patients), and calves (78 patients) were the body parts analyzed (15 patients). Muscle thickness is raised, and abdominal fat thickness is decreased for up to a year after therapy with electromagnetic muscle stimulation, making it an effective therapeutic intervention for abdominal contouring. However, the effectiveness of electromagnetic muscle stimulation alone for buttocks, thighs, arms, and calves has to be determined in larger, controlled research.
