Influence of therapeutic ultrasound on the biomechanical characteristics of the skin

Author(s)

Catapani, Ligia Brancalion ^[1] ; Goncalves, Adriana da Costa ^[2] ; Candeloro, Nathalia Morano ^[1] ; Rossi, Lidia Aparecida ^[3] ; de Oliveira Guirro, Elaine Caldeira ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Biomech Med & Rehabil Locomotor Syst, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Postgrad Program Rehabil & Funct Performance, 3900 Bandeirantes Ave, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Coll Nursing, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF THERAPEUTIC ULTRASOUND; v. 4, AUG 17 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Background: Skin function is dependent on its biomechanical characteristics, resistance, malleability, and elasticity. Therapeutic ultrasound may increase cutaneous malleability thus and optimize the rehabilitation process on specific diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate possible alterations of biomechanical characteristics of the normal skin after therapeutic ultrasound application. Methods: Thirty-one volunteers took part of the study, and the average age was 31.61 +/- 8.37 years old. Biomechanical characteristics evaluation of the skin was performed with the Cutometer MPA 580 (Courage + Khazaka Electronic-Koln, Germany) of 2-mm probe hole and 500-mbar vacuum. Skin characteristics were analyzed before and after therapeutic ultrasound application, and the variables R0 (distensibility), R2 (gross elasticity), and R6 (viscoelasticity) were used for the study. Areas of therapeutic ultrasound application (continuous, 3 MHz, 1 W/cm(2) SATA) were defined at the upper limbs and standardized using a neoprene template. Sociodemographic data of volunteers were analyzed using SPSS 15.0. To analyze the distribution of the data, the Shapiro-Wilk test was used, which showed the normal distribution for R0 values, R2 and R6. For this procedure, the PROC TTEST from SAS (R) 9.0 software and Minitab 16 software, with significance, was set at the 0.05 level. Results: In relation to R0, a significant increase (p = 0.001) was observed for the distensibility, when compared to values of pre- (0.3273 mm) and immediately post- (0.3795 mm) resource application which feature a greater distensibility. Related to R2 values, a significant increase (p = .001) of the gross elasticity at pre- (0.8419) and post- (0.8884) therapeutic ultrasound application was found. Conclusions: Therapeutic ultrasound promotes significant alterations of the biomechanical characteristics of the skin. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/10006-8 - The rehabilitation process and its interfaces with individual quality of life and culture - phase II
• Grantee: Lidia Aparecida Rossi
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants