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Evidence-
Therapeutic ultrasound is preferentially absorbed by high-
While ultrasound is recognised for physiological effects, it can also have a significant
psychological placebo effect (7,8). Subsequently, it is purported that correct evidence-
What the Research tells us:
In reviewing the current research literature relating to the use of ultrasound for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, many systematic reviews have failed to support the efficacy of its continued use (9,10,11,12,13). However, supporting its continued use, Watson (14) reports that many studies lack accurate data on clinical settings, while, Robertson et al. (3) reports many studies lack evidence of equipment calibration. Furthermore, even many authors of these systematic reviews report the quality of studies are often poor, and further efforts are necessary to provide stronger evidence.
Conclusion:
Far too often therapeutic ultrasound gets dismissed owing to the lack of robust evidence.
Yet, it remains one of the most widely used and accepted electrotherapy modalities
in Europe. Frustratingly, there is more evidence to support ultrasound than many
of the manual therapy techniques that are widely used. Absence of evidence does
not always mean that there is evidence of absence (15). If one looks critically at
the full range of physiotherapy treatments, there is simply insufficient evidence
to support or reject many of them in all known circumstances (15). Finally, if evidence-
References / Sources:
1. Nussbaum, E. (1997). Ultrasound: to heat or not to heat-
2. Sparrow, K.J., Finucane, S.D., Owen, J.R., Wayne, J.S. (2004). The effects of
low-
3. Robertson, V., Ward, A., Low, J., Reed, A. (2006). Electrotherapy explained:
Principles and practice. Fourth edition. Edinburgh: Butterworth-
4. Watson, T. (2006). Electrotherapy and tissue repair. Journal of Sportex Medicine,
29, 7-
5. Glasgow, P. (2007). Sports rehabilitation: principles and practice. Journal of
Sportex Medicine. 32, 10-
6. Kannus, P., Parkkari, T.L., Jarvinen, T., et al. (2003). Basic science and clinical
studies coincide: active treatment approach is needed after a sports injury. Scandinavian
Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. 13, 150-
7. Dyson, M. (1987). Mechanisms involved in therapeutic ultrasound. Physiotherapy,
73(3), 116-
8. Kitchen, S.S., Partridge, C.J. (1990). A review of therapeutic ultrasound. Physiotherapy,
76(10), 593-
9. Gam, A.N., Johannsen, F. (1995). Ultrasound therapy in musculoskeletal disorders:
a meta-
10. Ogilvie-
11. Van der Heijden, G.J.M., Van der Windt, D.A.W., De Winter, A.F. (1997). Physiotherapy
for patients with soft tissue shoulder disorders: A systematic review of randomised
clinical trials. British Medical Journal, 315(7099), 25-
12. Van der Windt, D.A., Van der Heijden, G.J., Van der Berg, S.G., Ter Riet, G.,
de Winter, A.F., Bouter, L.M. (1999). Ultrasound therapy for musculoskeletal disorders:
a systematic review. Pain, 81(3), 257-
13. Van der Windt, D.A.W.N., Van der Heijden, G.J.M.G., Van den Berg, S.G.M., Ter Riet, G., De Winter, A.F., Bouter, L.M. (2002). Therapeutic ultrasound for acute ankle sprains. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002. Issue 1. Art. No.: CD001250. DOI: 10.1002/14651858. CD001250.
14. Watson, T. (2005). Current concepts in electrotherapy. Theoretical & practical ultrasound workshop literature. University of Hertfordshire, Oct. 2005.
15. Watson, T. (2000). The role of electrotherapy in contemporary physiotherapy practice.
Manual Therapy, 5, 132-
Information source: Electrotherapy on the Web: an educational source by Professor Watson. http://www.electrotherapy.org/
.
Therapeutic Ultrasound