Research Article - (2017) Volume 2, Issue 2

Weight Loss after 5, 10, 15, and 20 Cold Wrap Treatments in a Private Slimming Center in the Philippines

Ariel S Torres*
Marie France Bodyline, Int’l., Philippines
*Corresponding Author: Ariel S Torres, M.D. Medical Doctor, Marie France, Bodyline, Int’l., Philippines, Tel: 632 917 489 2168 Email:

Abstract

Introduction: Cold Wraps have been used by slimming centers in Switzerland since the 1960’s to lose weight by reactive thermogenesis. Being warm-blooded, we need to maintain a homeostatic temperature so exposure to cold with resultant hypothermia would signal the body to burn fat. Cold Wraps were a novel idea and it boasts of being able to burn as much as a thousand calories for each treatment done for only several minutes but whose effect lasts for 2-3 days. Though a few studies have been done to show that Cold exposure increases Calorie Burning, there has been no documentation on its end result of producing actual concrete weight loss results.
Materials and Methods: A random sample of 325 patients in a private slimming centre in the Philippines was chosen. After application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 64 patients remained. All had 5 Cold Wrap treatments, but only 46 continued to have 10 Cold Wrap treatments, 22 continued to have 15 Cold Wrap treatments, and 8 continued to have 20 Cold Wrap treatments. Subjects were existing patients several months to a couple of years before the data was collected in December of 1998.
Results: The average weight loss after 5 Cold Wrap treatments by mean is 3.22 lbs. (206.66/64), by mode is 2 lbs. (13 patients), and by median is 5.4 lbs. (highest 10 lbs., lowest 0.8 lbs.). The average weight loss after 10 Cold Wrap treatments by mean is 5.51 lbs. (253.36/46), by mode is 5 lbs. (5 patients), and by median is 8.5 lbs. (highest 15 lbs., lowest 2 lbs.). The average weight loss after 15 Cold Wrap treatments by mean is 9.67 lbs. (212.76/22), by mode is 7 & 10 lbs. (3 patients), and by median is 9 lbs. (highest 14 lbs., lowest 4 lbs.). The average weight loss after 20 Cold Wrap treatments by mean is 10.39 lbs. (83.1/8), by mode is 5 lbs. (2 patients), and by median is 9.75 lbs. (highest 14.5 lbs., lowest 5 lbs.). The average weight loss per treatment for the first 5 treatments (1st to 5th) is 0.644 lbs. (3.22/5), second 5 treatments (6th to 10th) is 0.458 lbs. (2.29/5), third 5 treatments (11th to 15th) is 0.832 lbs. (4.16/5), and the fourth 5 treatments (16th to 20th) is 0.144 lbs. (0.72/5). The overall average weight loss per treatment (1st to 20th) is 0.5195 lbs. (2.078/4).
Conclusion: There is weight loss after Cold Wrap treatments in a private Slimming Centre in the Philippines. The average weight loss per treatment is 0.5195 lbs.

Keywords: Cold exposure; Cold wrap; Hypothermia; Thermogenesis; Calorie burning; Weight loss; Slimming centre; Elastic bandages; Cold solution

Introduction

In the early 1990’s, Leptin wasn’t discovered yet [1] and Brown Adipose Tissue was only noted to be present in babies [2]. Fat hormones (adipokines) that signal a person from eating too much [3] and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1) that facilitates calorie burning [4] was not part of the arsenal to fight too excess body fat and being overweight. Obesity wasn’t classified yet as a chronic disease directly linked to metabolic diseases [5]. The entire craze about losing weight was not for getting in shape for health and wellness but rather simply for vanity. One of the novel treatments to lose weight was by use of Cold Wraps more popularly known by its trademark “Fat Mobilisation System” or FMS [6]. It has been used by slimming centres in Switzerland since the 1960’s to lose weight. The treatment induces thermogenesis by artificially creating a mild form of hypothermia [7]. Being warmblooded, we need to maintain a homeostatic temperature so exposure to cold with resultant hypothermia would signal the body to burn fat. FMS boasts of being able to burn as much as a thousand calories for each treatment done for only several minutes but whose effect lasts for 2-3 days. This happens as brown fat is stimulated and calorie burning is increased [8] by Cold Acclimation [9]. It also provides a reduction in girth at the waist (decrease in Visceral Fat as well as subcutaneous Fat). But most dramatic of all is its ability to induce weight loss per treatment depending on the body’s response. Though a few studies have been done to show that Cold Exposure increases calorie Burning [7], there has been no documentation on its end result of producing actual concrete weight loss.

Objective

To determine and document the average weight loss induced by Cold Wrap treatments 5.

Subjects and Methods

Subjects were existing patients several months to a couple of years before the data was collected in December of 1998. A sample of 325 patients represented by their index cards in the filing cabinet was randomly drawn. That is 13 patients per alphabet (A to Z, except X) corresponding to the first letter of their surname; in order to reach more than 300 patients as dictated by the statistician. The information written on the index cards were copied. These consisted of treatments done, documented weights, if given a diet, concomitant diseases related to weight, medications that induce weight gain, etc. Each client’s index card was designated a client number (names specifically excluded) and the pertinent data after application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria were tabulated. Inclusion Criteria:

1. Had 5, 10, 15 or 20 Cold Wrap treatments

2. Had the Cold Wrap treatments on a regular basis (at least 2X a week)

3. Had regular weight documentation

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any concomitant disease related to weight gain/loss (Exdiabetes, hypothyroid, etc.)

2. Intake of medications that induce weight gain/loss (Exhormone replacement therapy, oral/injectable steroids)

3. Any specific diet with the purpose of losing weight in a short span of time (Ex-hypocaloric “crash” diets, etc.)

4. If other treatments are being done in the slimming centre (Extrans epidermal nerve stimulation, skin curving treatments using positive and negative pressure by suction/vacuum, etc.)

The actual Cold Wrap treatment is done by soaking elastic bandages in a solution that promotes convection once the subject is already wrapped with it. Convection is when air travels close to the body and attracts heat away from it [10]. The solution in the bandages while wrapped around the body of the subject (Figure 1) evaporates with time.

weight-loss-management-medical-devices-Cold-wrap

Figure 1: Cold wrap treatment (pre-soaked elastic bandages are wrapped around the body), lying down.

The actual Cold Wrap treatment is done by soaking elastic bandages in a solution that promotes convection once the subject is already wrapped with it. Convection is when air travels close to the body and attracts heat away from it [10]. The solution in the bandages while wrapped around the body of the subject (Figures 1 and 2) evaporates with time.

weight-loss-management-medical-devices-wrap-treatment

Figure 2: Cold wrap treatment, standing up.

Results

Among the subjects, 64 patients had 5 Cold Wrap treatments, but only 46 continued to have 10 Cold Wrap treatments, 22 continued to have 15 Cold Wrap treatments, and 8 continued to have 20 Cold Wrap treatments (Table 1). Subjects were existing patients several months to a couple of years before the data was collected in December of 1998 (as indicated in the dates). Based on the existing protocol at that time, the patients had their weight documented every 5 treatments.

Client ID# Date
Started
Weight
Started
Date of
5th CWT
Weight at
5th CWT
Date of
10th CWT
Weight at
10th CWT
Date of
15th CWT
Weight at
15th CWT
Date of
20th CWT
Weight at
20th CWT
#2 13-Feb 126 lbs. 26-Feb 123 lbs. 26-Mar 121 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#5 05-May 126.4 lbs. 20-May 124.12 lbs. 11-Jun 123 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#9 05-May 127 lbs. 05-Jun 122 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#17 07-Aug 150 lbs. 19-Aug 142 lbs. 23-Sep 140.4 lbs. 11-Nov 136.4 lbs. xxx xxx
#18 24-Jun 114.4 lbs. 08-Jul 111.12 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#22 08-Jul 164.8 lbs. 14-Jul 162.12 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#23 29-May 127.4 lbs. 13-Jun 124 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#24 25-Feb 114 lbs. 18-Mar 110 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#48 15-Apr 93.4 lbs. 05-May 90.8 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#49 19-May 178.8 lbs. 04-Jun 176.4 lbs. 01-Jul 174.12 lbs. 16-Jul 170.4 lbs. 29-Jul 168 lbs.
#69 09-Feb 134 lbs. 13-Feb 132 lbs. 26-Feb 129.8 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#70 07-Sep 121 lbs. 29-Sep 114.8 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#71 08-Feb 100 lbs. 27-Feb 98 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#72 03-Dec 128 lbs. 15-Dec 124.8 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#80 05-Sep 118 lbs. 18-Sep 116.2 lbs. 06-Oct 113.2 lbs. 30-Oct 111 lbs. xxx xxx
#82 03-Oct 128 lbs. 14-Oct 126.4 lbs. 02-Nov 123 lbs. 23-Nov 118 lbs. xxx xxx
#86 02-Jun 123.12 lbs. 13-Jun 122.2 lbs. 11-Jul 120.12 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#91 08-Oct 182 lbs. 20-Oct 178 lbs. 08-Nov 176 lbs. 06-Dec 173 lbs. 20-Dec 168 lbs.
#96 27-Feb 135 lbs. 20-Mar 132 lbs. 06-Apr 125 lbs. 12-May 121 lbs. xxx xxx
#97 21-Mar 118 lbs. 04-Apr 116 lbs. 21-Apr 116 lbs. 02-May 114 bls 30-May 113 lbs.
#103 19-Feb 158 lbs. 10-Mar 153 lbs. 02-Apr 151 lbs. 14-Apr 146 lbs. xxx xxx
#104 06-Mar 110 lbs. 14-Mar 108.8 lbs. 29-Mar 106 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#105 04-Jun 160 lbs. 13-Jun 150.2 lbs. 04-Jul 145 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#109 15-May 117 lbs. 27-May 115.4 lbs. 13-Jun 114 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#113 29-Mar 138 lbs. 14-Apr 134.12 lbs. 17-May 130.12 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#117 06-Nov 164 lbs. 16-Nov 162 lbs. 10-Dec 161.4 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#118 21-Jan 128 lbs. 11-Feb 126 lbs. 12-Mar 125 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#119 12-Jan 125 lbs. 21-Jan 122 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#121 02-Dec 122.5 lbs. 10-Dec 120 lbs. 03-Jan 116 lbs. 16-Jan 112 lbs. 06-Feb 108 lbs.
#127 03-Apr 135.8 lbs. 12-Apr 132.12 lbs. 20-Apr 129 lbs. 05-May 127.14 lbs. xxx xxx
#129 21-Nov 108 lbs. 01-Dec 103.4 lbs. 22-Dec 101 lbs. 05-Feb 97.4 lbs. xxx xxx
#152 18-Mar 126 lbs. 27-Mar 123.12 lbs. 10-Apr 122.8 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#154 05-Aug 132 lbs. 20-Aug 130 lbs. 11-Sep 129 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#157 05-Sep 123 lbs. 05-Oct 118 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#163 24-Mar 130 lbs. 08-Apr 127 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#164 21-Aug 115 lbs. 01-Sep 110.4 lbs. 22-Sep 108 lbs. 05-Nov 104.4 lbs. xxx xxx
#169 03-Jan 155 lbs. 14-Jan 153.4 lbs. 02-Feb 150 lbs. 23-Feb 145 lbs. xxx xxx
#174 08-Jun 122 lbs. 14-Jun 119.4 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#175 10-Feb 158 lbs. 18-Feb 156 lbs. 04-Mar 152 lbs. 24-Mar 148 lbs. 14-Apr 145 lbs.
#177 25-Jan 124 lbs. 18-Feb 120 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#179 15-Mar 97 lbs. 05-Apr 95.6 lbs. 09-May 94.8 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#180 06-Aug 170 lbs. 16-Aug 168 lbs. 10-Sep 167.4 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#185 09-May 139 lbs. 13-May 137 lbs. 26-May 134.8 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#186 01-Sep 147 lbs. 15-Sep 145 lbs. 02-Oct 144 lbs. 13-Oct 143 lbs. 10-Nov 142 lbs.
#189 15-Feb 130 lbs. 27-Feb 128 lbs. 15-Mar 126 lbs. 12-Apr 123 lbs. 26-Apr 118 lbs.
#192 07-Mar 139 lbs. 29-Mar 132.8 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#195 22-Oct 172 lbs. 03-Nov 162 lbs. 19-Nov 157 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#196 03-Nov 138 lbs. 12-Nov 134.4 lbs. 20-Nov 131.12 lbs. 05-Dec 129.4 lbs. xxx xxx
#210 08-Sep 130 lbs. 27-Sep 128 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#214 03-Jun 150 lbs. 15-Jun 146.8 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#216 21-Dec 106 lbs. 11-Jan 104 lbs. 12-Feb 101 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#220 05-Oct 116 lbs. 18-Oct 114.2 lbs. 06-Nov 111.2 lbs. 30-Nov 109 lbs. xxx xxx
#221 06-Feb 122 lbs. 14-Feb 120.8 lbs. Feb-29 118 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#227 19-Sep 129 lbs. 10-Oct 124 lbs. 02-Nov 122 lbs. 14-Nov 117 lbs. xxx xxx
#231 07-Oct 146 lbs. 19-Oct 138 lbs. 23-Nov 136.6 lbs. 11-Jan 132.6 lbs. xxx xxx
#242 29-Jul 105 lbs. 14-Aug 101.12 lbs. 17-Sep 97.12 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#249 27-Jul 136 lbs. 20-Aug 133 lbs. 06-Sep 126 lbs. 12-Oct 122 lbs. xxx xxx
#263 12-Jan 97 lbs. 21-Jan 94 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#270 19-Jun 130.8 lbs. 04-Jul 128.4 lbs. 01-Aug 126.12 lbs. 16-Aug 122.4 lbs. 29-Aug 122 lbs.
#272 15-Apr 125 lbs. 27-Apr 123.4 lbs. 13-May 123 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#281 13-May 102 lbs. 28-May 99 lbs. 26-Jun 97 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#290 29-Jun 164.4 lbs. 13-Jul 161.12 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
#292 02-Jul 112 lbs. 13-Jul 111.2 lbs. 11-Aug 109.12 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx
#304 07-Apr 142.8 lbs. 16-Apr 139.8 lbs. 30-Apr 139.12 lbs. xxx xxx xxx xxx

Table 1: Tabulation of weights per patient after 5,10,15,20 cold wrap treatments (CWT).

I. Average weight loss of 64 patients after 5 Cold Wrap Treatments (Tables 2 and 3)

Client
ID #
Weight
Loss
Client
ID #
Weight
Loss
#2 3 lbs. #154 2 lbs.
#5 2.28 lbs. #157 5 lbs.
#9 5 lbs. #163 3 lbs.
#17 8 lbs. #164 4.6 lbs.
#18 3.28 lbs. #169 1.6 lbs.
#22 2.68 lbs. #174 2.6 lbs.
#23 3.4 lbs. #175 2 lbs.
#24 4 lbs. #177 4 lbs.
#48 2.6 lbs. #179 1.4 lbs.
#49 2.4 lbs. #180 2 lbs.
#69 2 lbs. #185 2 lbs.
#70 6.2 lbs. #186 2 lbs.
#71 2 lbs. #189 2 lbs.
#72 3.2 lbs. #192 6.2 lbs.
#80 1.8 lbs. #195 10 lbs.
#82 1.6 lbs. #196 3.6 lbs.
#86 0.92 lbs. #210 2 lbs.
#91 4 lbs. #214 3.2 lbs.
#96 3 lbs. #216 2 lbs.
#97 2 lbs. #220 1.8 lbs.
#103 5 lbs. #221 1.2 lbs.
#104 1.2 lbs. #227 5 lbs.
#105 9.8 lbs. #231 8 lbs.
#109 1.6 lbs. #242 3.88 lbs.
#113 3.88 lbs. #249 3 lbs.
#117 2 lbs. #263 3 lbs.
#118 2 lbs. #270 2.4 lbs.
#119 3 lbs. #272 1.6 lbs.
#121 2.5 lbs. #281 3 lbs.
#127 3.68 lbs. #290 3.28 lbs.
#129 4.6 lbs. #292 0.8 lbs.
#152 2.88 lbs. #304 3 lbs.

Table 2: Weight loss after 5 CWT 64 pxs. (Mean Ave. of 64 subjects=3.22 lbs.).

Weight
Loss
No. of
Clients
  Weight
Loss
No. of
Clients
Weight
Loss
No. of
Clients
0.8 lb 1   2.5 lbs. 1 3.68 lbs. 1
0.92 lb 1   2.6 lbs. 2 3.88 lbs. 2
1.2 lbs. 2   2.68 lbs. 1 4.0 lbs. 3
1.4 lbs. 1   2.88 lbs. 1 4.6 lbs. 2
1.6 lbs. 4   3.0 lbs. 8 5.0 lbs. 4
1.8 lbs. 2   3.2 lbs. 2 6.2 lbs. 2
2.0 lbs. 13   3.28 lbs. 2 8.0 lbs. 2
2.28 lbs. 1   3.4 lbs. 1 9.8 lbs. 1
2.4 lbs. 2   3.6 lbs. 1 10.0 lbs. 1

Table 3: Weight loss after 5 CWT treatments by mode (mode Ave. of 64 subjects=2.0 lbs.).

image

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Mode=weight loss of most number of patients = 2 lbs. (13 patients)

II. Average weight loss of 46 patients after 10 Cold Wrap Treatments (Tables 4 and 5)

Client
ID #
Weight
Loss
Client
ID #
Weight
Loss
Client
ID #
Weight
Loss
#2 5 lbs. #113 7.88 lbs. #195 15 lbs.
#5 3.4 lbs. #117 2.6 lbs. #196 6.88 lbs.
#17 9.6 lbs. #118 3 lbs. #216 5 lbs.
#48 3.5 lbs. #121 6.5 lbs. #220 4.8 lbs.
#49 4.68 lbs. #127 6.8 lbs. #221 4 lbs.
#69 4.2 lbs. #129 7 lbs. #227 7 lbs.
#80 4.8 lbs. #152 3.2 lbs. #231 9.4 lbs.
#82 5 lbs. #154 3 lbs. #242 7.88 lbs.
#86 3 lbs. #164 7 lbs. #249 10 lbs.
#91 6 lbs. #169 5 lbs. #270 4.68 lbs.
#96 10 lbs. #175 6 lbs. #272 2 lbs.
#97 2 lbs. #179 2.2 lbs. #281 5 lbs.
#103 7 lbs. #180 2.6 lbs. #292 2.88 lbs.
#104 4 lbs. #185 4.2 lbs. #304 3.68 lbs.
#105 15 lbs. #186 4 lbs.  -  -
#109 3 lbs. #189 4 lbs.  -  -

Table 4: Weight loss after 10 CWT treatments per client (Mean Ave. of 46 subjects=5.51 lbs.).

Weight
Loss
No. of
Clients
Weight
Loss
No. of
Clients
Weight
Loss
No. of
Clients
2 lb 2 3.68 lbs. 1 6.8 lbs. 1
2.2 lb 1 4 lbs. 4 6.88 lbs. 1
2.6 lbs. 2 4.2 lbs. 2 7 lbs. 4
2.88 lbs. 1 4.68 lbs. 1 7.88 lbs. 2
3 lbs. 4 4.8 lbs. 8 9.4 lbs. 1
3.2 lbs. 1 5 lbs. 2 9.6 lbs. 1
3.4 lbs. 1 6 lbs. 2 10 lbs. 2
3.5 lbs. 1 6.5 lbs. 1 15 lbs. 2

Table 5: Weight loss after 10 CWT treatments by mode (Mode Ave. of 46 subjects=5.0 lbs.).

image

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image

image

Mode=weight loss of most number of patients =5 lbs. (5 patients)

III. Average weight loss of 22 patients after 15 Cold Wrap Treatments (Tables 6 and 7)

Client
ID #
Weight
Loss
Client
ID #
Weight
Loss
Client
ID #
Weight
Loss
#17 13.6 lbs. #121 10.5 lbs. #196 8.6 lbs.
#49 8.4 lbs. #127 8.66 lbs. #220 7 lbs.
#80 7 lbs. #129 10.6 lbs. #227 12 lbs.
#82 10 lbs. #164 10.6 lbs. #231 13.4 lbs.
#91 9 lbs. #169 10 lbs. #249 14 lbs.
#96 14 lbs. #175 10 lbs. #270 8.4 lbs.
#97 4 lbs. #186 4 lbs.    
#103 12 lbs. #189 7 lbs.    

Table 6: Weight loss after 15 CWT treatments (Mean Ave. of 22 subjects=9.67 lbs.).

Weight
Loss
No. of
Clients
Weight
Loss
No. of
Clients
Weight
Loss
No. of
Clients
4 lb 2 9 lbs. 1 13.4 lbs. 1
7 lb 3 10 lbs. 3 13.6 lbs. 1
8.4 lbs. 2 10.5 lbs. 1 14 lbs. 2
8.6 lbs. 1 10.6 lbs. 2    
8.66 lbs. 1 12 lbs. 2    

Table 7: Weight loss after 15 CWT treatments BY Mode (Mode Ave. of 22 subjects=7 & 10 lbs.).Weight loss after 15 CWT treatments BY Mode (Mode Ave. of 22 subjects=7 & 10 lbs.).

image

image

Mode =weight loss of most number of patients =7 lbs. & 10 lbs. (3 patients for both)

IV. Average weight loss of 8 patients after 20 Cold Wrap Treatments (Tables 8 and 9)

Client
ID #
Weight
Loss
#49 10.8 lbs.
#91 14 lbs.
#97 5 lbs.
#121 14.5 lbs.
#175 13 lbs.
#186 5 lbs.
#189 12 lbs.
#270 8.8 lbs.

Table 8: Weight loss after 15 CWT treatments per client (Mean Ave. of 8 subjects=10.39 lbs.).

Weight
Loss
No. of
Clients
5 lbs. 2
8.8 lbs. 1
10.8 lbs. 1
12 lbs. 1
13 lbs. 1
14 lbs. 1
14.5 lbs. 1

Table 9: Weight loss after 15 CWT treatments by Mode (Mode Ave. of 46 subjects=5 lbs.).

image

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image

Mode =weight loss of most number of patients =5 lbs. (2 patients)

V. Summary of average weight loss after 5, 10, 15, 20 Cold Wrap treatments by Mean (Figure 3)

weight-loss-management-medical-devices-weight-loss

Figure 3: Average weight loss after 5, 10, 15, 20 treatments.

Average weight loss after:

5 Cold Wrap treatments=3.22 lbs.

10 Cold Wrap treatments= 5.51 lbs.

15 Cold Wrap treatments= 9.67 lbs.

20 Cold Wrap treatments= 10.39 lbs.

VI. A3v.e2r2a ge w. eight loss per treatment for the: 9.75 .

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=0.5195 lbs.

Discussion and Interpretation of Results

First of all, it should be noted that there were only 64 patients out of the 325 sample population who were included in the study. Most were excluded because they had other slimming treatments aside from the Cold Wrap while a few had medical problems related to their weight gain. However, some were excluded because they underwent a hypo caloric diet endorsed by the slimming centre itself. These were the clients who were losing weight slowly, not losing at all, or even gaining weight despite their Cold Wrap treatments. That may be a significant factor why not even 1 out of 64 patients posted a negative weight loss result (weight gain). So if you will look at the graph of the linear progress of weight loss (Figure 4), all the individual lines were going down and not even one went up although the Cold Wrap treatment has been “historically” proven since the 1960’s to induce weight loss because calories are burned by thermogenesis in response to hypothermia [7], there are other factors not in control of the slimming centre but definitely in control of the patient [10-12] (overeating, inactivity, stress, poor sleep) where the cold wraps may fail to induce weight loss. During formulation of the protocol for the study, patients who underwent a diet with a specific purpose of losing weight in a short span of time was excluded for the simple reason that any weight loss recorded may be due to the diet but wrongly attributed to the cold wrap. However, during the data collection/gathering period, it was noted that patients who would have posted a negative weight loss result, were inadvertently excluded due to their undergoing of a hypo caloric diet given by the staff of the slimming centre itself. Therefore, the results in the study are relatively higher than the true value.

weight-loss-management-medical-devices-wrap-treatments

Figure 4: Graph of all 64 patients that underwent 5-20 cold wrap treatments.

Second, the patient number in the population goes down as the number of treatments increases (there are more patients who underwent 5 Cold Wraps than those who had 20 Cold Wraps). The reason for this is because those who experienced satisfactory weight loss would already convert their remaining treatments to other “maintenance” treatments (body contouring or skin firming without weight loss). Also, some patients who reached their target weight would totally discontinue their entire slimming program and be lost to follow-up already.

Lastly, the weight loss for the fourth 5 Cold Wraps (16th to 20th) tends to plateau or level off with an average of 0.144 lbs. per treatment which is approximately only 25% of the overall (1st to 20th) average weight loss per treatment of 0.5195 lbs. The reason for this is so obvious. The first 15 treatments already did their job of inducing weight loss so during the 16th to 20th Cold Wrap treatments; there was not much excess weight to lose anymore. Another reason which is not so obvious is the same reason given in the previous paragraph. It’s possible that patients who underwent 20 Cold Wrap treatments are the problematic ones where weight loss is slow or are not satisfactory.

Limitation of the Study

The subjects in this study are private paying patients who went to the centre in order to lose weight. So this is more of a Multiple Case Report where all of the subjects underwent the Cold Wrap treatment and their average results tallied. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) would have been better wherein the study group would be given the Cold Wrap with the original solution while the Control Group would be given a Placebo Therapy (ordinary wrap using the same elastic bandages but soaked in plain water). Then, both groups would be given the same advice on diet and activity. However, the objective of the study was met wherein the weight loss results of Cold Wraps were determined and documented.

It also would have been better if the subjects were weighed every time they came into the slimming centre for treatment and not every 5 visits. Body measurements, specifically the waist circumference should be included, since this is a better marker for determining Visceral Fat that is directly related to the patient’s health status [13-15]. It is recommended that a larger population be used in future studies. It should include epidemiologic/demographic data to determine which subgroups have better results (e.g. who has better weight loss: male or female, single or married, which age group, which weight range, etc.) Those who underwent diet or have medical problems should also be included already but in a separate group so as not to dilute or concentrate the results, in general.

Conclusion

There is weight loss after Cold Wrap treatments in a private Slimming Centre in the Philippines. The average weight loss per treatment is 0.5195 lbs.

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Citation: Torres AS (2017) Weight Loss after 5, 10, 15, and 20 Cold Wrap Treatments in a Private Slimming Center in the Philippines. J Nutr Weight Loss 1: 109.

Copyright: �© 2017 Torres AS. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.