Application of shortwave diathermy to lower limb increases arterial blood flow velocity and skin temperature in women: a randomized controlled trial

Autor(es)

Alves De Sousa, Natanael Teixeira ^[1] ; De Oliveira Guirro, Elaine Caldeira ^{[2, 1]} ; Calio, Joao Guilherme ^[2] ; De Queluz, Mariane Cristina ^[2] ; De Jesus Guirro, Rinaldo Roberto ^{[2, 1]}

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Curso Fisioterapia, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Programa Posgrad Reabilitacao & Desempenho Func, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL THERAPY; v. 21, n. 2, p. 127-137, MAR-APR 2017.
• Citações Web of Science: 1

Resumo

Background: Shortwave diathermy (SWD) and microwave diathermy (MWD) are frequently used by physical therapists to treat musculoskeletal conditions. The therapeutic benefits are usually associated with an increase in tissue temperature; however, there is no consensus on the changes in blood flow. Objectives: 1) To evaluate the behavior of temperature and arterial blood flow after the application of SWD and MWD to the lower limb of healthy women aged 18-30 and 2) to assess whether changes in limb positioning can influence SWD response. Method: Among the subjects analyzed, 40 women were eligible to participate in the trial and were randomly allocated to the SWD group or the MWD group. Each group received 20 min of diathermy. After receiving the interventions, all patients crossed over to the other group, but the devices were detuned (sham). SWD was applied to the posterior compartment of the thigh and leg, with the knee in 0 degrees and 90 degrees of flexion, and the MWD applied to the posterior thigh. Skin temperature evaluation (digital infrared thermography) and assessment of blood flow velocity (Doppler ultrasound) were performed immediately before and 10 and 20 min after the application. Results: Arterial blood flow increased after SWD diathermy (vs. Sham), but not after MWD diathermy. SWD promoted skin heating at the end of therapy in all areas analyzed, remaining above baseline even 20 min after the end of the application. MWD diathermy promoted skin heating in the posterior thigh, reflecting a rise in the temperature of the popliteal fossa area that remained for 10 min after the end of the application. Conclusion: The increase in arterial blood flow velocity depends on the size of the heating area, since it was only observed in the application of the SWD. However, after 20 min of application, the position of the lower leg did not affect the heating. (C) 2017 Associacao Brasileira de Pesquisa e Pos-Graduacao em Fisioterapia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 13/07732-7 - Laser de baixa intensidade e estimulação elétrica de alta voltagem na viabilidade do retalho musculafasciocutâneo transverso do músculo reto do abdome em ratos submetidos a ação da nicotina
• Beneficiário: Elaine Caldeira de Oliveira Guirro
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 13/07227-0 - Análise da circulação do membro superior em pré e pós-operatório em mulheres com câncer de mama, submetidas à biópsia do linfonodo sentinela com ou sem linfadenectomia axilar
• Beneficiário: Elaine Caldeira de Oliveira Guirro
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular