Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Gynecology and Obstetrics

Skin laxity is an aesthetic problem. The impact of this problem on the female{u2019}s self-esteem affect quality of life in psychological and sociocultural terms. This study was conducted to determine the effect of tripolar radiofrequency on postnatal abdominal skin laxity. Thirty eight postnatal women aged 20-45 years participated in this study. They were randomly distributed into two groups: control group (18 women) received traditional abdominal exercises 3 times/week for 12 weeks and study group (20 women) received the same exercises and sessions of tripolar radiofrequency, 3 times/week for 12 weeks. Evaluation was done through measuring waist/hip ratio, modulus of elasticity and abdominal skinfold thickness at the start and the end of the treatment program. Results of this study revealed that the control group showed a statistically significant decrease in the waist/hip ratio (p= 0.020) and the skin laxity (p= 0.037), as well as a statistically highly significant decrease in abdominal skinfold thickness (p= 0.001). Also, the study group showed a statistically highly significant decrease in the waist/hip ratio (p= 0.001), the skin laxity (p= 0.004) and the abdominal skinfold thickness (p= 0.004). Compared to the control group, the study group showed a highly significant decrease in the waist/hip ratio (p= 0.001) and the skin laxity (p= 0.008); however, there was no significant difference in the abdominal skinfold thickness (p= 0.059). So, it can be concluded that the tripolar radiofrequency is effective and safe modality for improving abdominal skin laxity in postnatal women.

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