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At Retone, we believe you deserve to understand the science behind the treatments we offer. HIFEM (High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic) technology has been studied in multiple published clinical trials — here’s a plain-language look at what the research shows.
Our HIPEX Chair uses HIFEM technology to stimulate deep pelvic floor muscle contractions — designed to support pelvic floor rehabilitation for both women and men. It’s ARTG-listed (ARTG 338736) for this purpose.
What the research looks at: Clinical trials on this technology have investigated its use for stress and urge urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse, and post-prostatectomy incontinence in men. Registered studies through bodies like ClinicalTrials.gov have found that participants report meaningful improvements in quality of life, with the majority reducing or eliminating the need for incontinence pads after a course of treatment. Studies are ongoing in areas such as pelvic pain and postpartum recovery.
Our CMSlim device uses HIFEM technology to stimulate supramaximal muscle contractions in areas like the abdomen, glutes, arms and calves — designed to support muscle toning and body contouring as part of a healthy lifestyle.
A 2019 MRI study followed 22 patients through four abdominal treatments and found simultaneous muscle growth, fat reduction, and improvement in abdominal muscle separation — changes that held steady at both the 2-month and 6-month check-ins, independent of any dieting. A separate CT-based study of 22 patients having eight sessions found an average 17.5% drop in subcutaneous fat and a 14.8% increase in abdominal muscle thickness, along with a reduction in waist circumference. A German study of 14 patients reported similar results using ultrasound, with all patients rated as visibly improved by their treating clinician.
A multi-centre study of 75 patients who received four sessions found that those who started out unhappy with their appearance reported an 85% improvement by the end of treatment, with results holding at the one-month follow-up and no reported side effects.
A study of 20 patients treated over their biceps, triceps and calves used ultrasound to track changes over six months, finding meaningful increases in muscle tone (up to 16% in the biceps) alongside reductions in fat in the treated areas.
A pilot study followed ten postpartum women (3 to 36 months after giving birth) through four abdominal sessions, using MRI to track changes in fat, muscle thickness and abdominal separation over six months.
A one-year follow-up study used MRI and CT imaging to check whether abdominal improvements were maintained well beyond the usual 3–6 month study window.
A laboratory study examined muscle biopsies before and after HIFEM treatment and found evidence of genuine muscle fibre growth at a cellular level — helping to explain the changes seen in the clinical studies above.
Looking at the evidence as a whole, in 2021, a group of five aesthetic physicians reviewed the published research on HIFEM (and HIFEM combined with radiofrequency) and published a joint position paper summarising their findings. Drawing on data from over 500 patients across multiple studies, they reported that patients treated with HIFEM typically saw an average 30% reduction in fat, a 25% increase in muscle, and up to a 19% improvement in abdominal muscle separation, with results holding up well at follow-up. The panel's overall view was that combining HIFEM with radiofrequency delivers a stronger effect on both muscle and fat than HIFEM alone.
We share this information so you can make an informed decision — not as a promise of specific results. Individual outcomes vary from person to person, and results depend on factors like your starting point, how many sessions you complete, and your lifestyle. This is general information about the technology and is not a substitute for a personal consultation.Several of the studies above were authored by clinicians who have a paid speaking or advisory relationship with the manufacturer of this technology — a standard and disclosed practice in medical device research, but worth knowing as you read. If you’d like to talk through whether HIFEM treatment is right for you, book a consultation with our team.
Plast Reconstr Surg. 149(5):893e-900e. The gold-standard version of this research: 72 patients randomised to real treatment or a sham (fake) session. The real-treatment group saw significant fat reduction and muscle thickening that held at 6 months, while the sham group showed no meaningful change — strong evidence the effect is the treatment, not placebo. Free full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9028295/
J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 16(2):50-54. 34 patients had four sessions on their upper arms. At 3 months, average fat reduction was 25.5% and muscle mass increased 23.9%, with high patient satisfaction (84.6%) and comfort (91.2%) scores. Free full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10005810/
J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 15(8):28-32. 16 women had treatment focused on inner thigh fat and muscle, an area with limited prior HIFEM research. Results extended the established abdomen/buttock findings to a new body area with good safety and satisfaction outcomes. Free full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9436229/
J Cosmet Dermatol. 22(1):193-199. A small pilot (3 subjects) testing whether abdomen, thighs and buttocks could all be treated on the same day. MRI confirmed measurable fat and muscle changes across all treated areas with no adverse events — useful evidence for combined treatment sessions. Free full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10087156/
Int J Med Sci. 21(15):2862-2869. 6 participants (3 male, 3 female) had MRI-based volumetric assessment of abdominal muscle before and after treatment. All six showed increased muscle volume (up to 21.1%) at 3 months, with no adverse events — useful for demonstrating the technology's safety and effect across different body types and ethnic backgrounds, not just the original US-based study cohorts. Free full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11610337/
supporting research on pelvic floor strength and sexual function
Journal of Women's Health Care. 33 women with both urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction had six HIFEM pelvic floor sessions, tracked out to 12 months. Sexual function scores (FSFI) improved 32% within a month and stayed improved at a year, with the biggest gains in desire, arousal, lubrication and orgasm; 71% of patients moved back above the clinical threshold for normal sexual function by 12 months. Incontinence symptoms also dropped 60%. Read via: https://www.mdedge.com/obgyn/article/242051/pelvic-floor-dysfunction/hifem-procedure-helped-improve-ui-and-female-sexual
J Clin Med. 14(23):8496. Pooling five studies (~219 women total), this review found consistent, clinically meaningful improvements in sexual function scores from HIFEM-type chair treatment, particularly when combined with pelvic floor muscle training — alongside significant reductions in incontinence severity. Useful as an "overview of the evidence" rather than a single trial. Free full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12693354/
Reprod Syst Sex Disord. 13:401. 28 men aged 27–72 with urinary symptoms and erectile dysfunction had a course of HIFEM treatment. Results showed statistically significant improvements in urinary control (46.2% fewer night-time trips to the bathroom) alongside gains in erectile function. Free full text: https://www.longdom.org/open-access/improving-male-pelvic-health-efficacy-of-hifem-muscle-stimulation-for-urinary-function-and-sexual-dysfunction-in-men-106497.html
(ScienceDirect, presented research). A study using a male-specific HIFEM protocol assessed ejaculatory function, erectile function (via the IIEF-15 questionnaire) and urinary symptoms together, finding improvements across ejaculatory control alongside erectile function gains — notable as one of the only studies specifically addressing ejaculatory dysfunction, not just ED. Summary: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1743609522004301
