Apparatus and method for substantially stationary transducer therapeutic ultrasound treatment

RESUMOIntrodução: O ultrassom terapêutico está entre os recursos mais utilizados por fisioterapeutas no tratamento de disfunções do sistema osteomioarticular. O insucesso no tratamento com ultrassom é causado quase sempre pela falta de calibração do aparelho que resulta na diminuição ou ausência dos benefícios pretendidos. Objetivo: Verificar o funcionamento dos aparelhos de ultrassom utilizados terapeuticamente em serviços públicos e privados de fisioterapia. Métodos: Coleta de dados por meio do preenchimento da ficha de avaliação após realização do teste de cavitação que tem por objetivo verificar do funcionamento dos aparelhos. Resultados: Foram avaliados 28 aparelhos, tendo obtido negativo no teste de cavitação um total de 5 aparelhos, que estavam em uso contínuo nos estabelecimentos. Conclusão: Assim, recomenda-se a aferição frequente do funcionamento dos aparelhos por meio do teste de cavitação, sendo um recurso de baixo custo que promove maior confiabilidade, resultando em tratamentos mais eficazes.Palavras-chave: Terapia por Ultrassom; Cavitação; Calibragem; Fisioterapia Evaluation of the operation of therapeutic ultrasound appliances in public and private services of the city of ManausABSTRACTIntroduction: Therapeutic ultrasound is among the most used resources by physiotherapists in the treatment of osteomioarticular system disorders. Failure in ultrasound treatment is almost always due to the lack of calibration of the device that results in decreased or no desired benefits. Objective: To verify the operation of ultrasound devices used therapeutically in public and private physiotherapy services. Methods: Data collection by completing the evaluation form after the cavitation test that aims to verify the functioning of the devices. Results: Twenty-eight devices were applied, with negative effects on cavitation testing in a total of 5 devices, which were in continuous use in the applications. Conclusion: Thus, it is recommended to frequently check the functioning of the devices through cavitation testing, being a low-cost feature that promotes greater use, resulting in more difficult use.Keywords: Ultrasound Therapy; Cavitation; Calibration; Physiotherapy

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Exposure to Low Amounts of Ultrasound Energy Does Not Improve Soft Tissue Shoulder Pathology: A Systematic Review

Physical Therapy ◽

10.2522/ptj.20080272 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 90 (1) ◽

pp. 14-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Lisa D. Alexander ◽

David R.D. Gilman ◽

Derek R. Brown ◽

Janet L. Brown ◽

Pamela E. Houghton

Keyword(s):

Soft Tissue ◽

Treatment Time ◽

Therapeutic Ultrasound ◽

Ultrasound Treatment ◽

Shoulder Injuries ◽

Shoulder Injury ◽

Treatment Protocols ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Ultrasound Energy ◽

Shoulder Pathologies

Background Although therapeutic ultrasound is commonly used to treat shoulder injuries, research to date on the ability of ultrasound to improve outcomes for shoulder pathologies is conflicting. Objective This study aimed to systematically and critically review available literature to ascertain whether beneficial effects of ultrasound were associated with certain shoulder pathologies or particular ultrasound treatment protocols. Methods Five electronic databases were searched, and the included studies, identified through pair consensus, were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that utilized ultrasound for soft tissue shoulder injury or pain. Study Selection and Data Extraction Eight studies included in this review (n=586 patients, median PEDro score=8.0/10) evaluated various parameters, including the duration of patients' symptoms (0–12 months), duty cycle (20% and 100%), intensity (0.1–2.0 W/cm2), treatment time per session (4.5–15.8 minutes), number of treatments (6–39), and total energy applied per treatment (181–8,152 J). Data Synthesis Inconsistent outcome measures among studies precluded meta-analysis; however, 3 RCTs showed statistically significant benefits of ultrasound, 2 of which examined calcific tendinitis. Studies that showed beneficial effects of ultrasound typically had 4 times longer total exposure times and applied much greater ultrasound energy per session (average of 4,228 J) compared with studies that showed no benefit of ultrasound (average of 2,019 J). No studies that delivered ≤720 J per session showed improvement in treatment groups. Limitations Current research involving ultrasound treatment protocols that delivered low levels of ultrasound energy do not adequately address whether ultrasound can improve outcomes for shoulder disorders. Conclusion Determining whether therapeutic ultrasound can affect soft tissue shoulder pathologies will require further research and systematic reviews that involve appropriate ultrasound treatment protocols.

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