Evaluation of therapeutic effectiveness of diathermy in patients with degenerative disease of the lumbar spine

Agnieszka Przedborska, Jan W. Raczkowski, Małgorzata Misztal

Agnieszka Przedborska, Jan W. Raczkowski, Małgorzata Misztal – Evaluation of therapeutic effectiveness of diathermy in patients with degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. Fizjoterapia Polska 2021; 21(2); 70-76

Abstract
Introduction. Diathermy is one of the stimuli used in treatment of degenerative spine disease. Endogenous heat alleviates the symptoms of the disease. Diathermy treatments differ due to wave size and electromagnetic vibration frequency. Objective. Evaluation of the effectiveness of diathermy generated by short waves and radio waves in the treatment of patients with degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. Material and methods. The research was carried out on a group of 68 people with degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, divided into two groups. The study group consisted of 36 people who underwent therapy with radio waves using the Thermo TK device. The comparison group consisted of 32 people who underwent shortwave diathermy treatments. Therapeutic effectiveness was evaluated on the basis of pain assessment according to the VAS scale and the Laitinen pain scale as well as the range of motion measured with the Schober test and the Thomayer test. Results. In both groups, a statistically significant (p <0.0001) pain reduction after therapy according to the Laitinen pain scale was observed (Me (IQR) before and after therapy , respectively: in the study group: 6.5 (5-9) scores vs. 4 (3-5.5) scores and in the comparison group: 6 (5-8) scores vs. 4 (3-5) scores) and according to the VAS scale – in the study group: 6 (5-7.5) scores vs. 4 (3-4) scores and in the comparison group: 6 (5-7.5) scores vs. 3 (3-5) scores. The Thomayer test and the Schober test results also improved significantly in each group. Conclusions. Regardless of the wavelength generating endogenous heat, both treatments reduce pain and improve the range of motion of the lumbar spine in patients with degenerative spine disease.
Key words:
spine, degenerative disease, diathermy, radio waves
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An investigation of the effects of local thermotherapy on neuromuscular excitability in healthy people

Anna Kamykowska, Cezary Kucio, Piotr Król, Ryszard Zarzeczny, Robert Roczniok

Anna Kamykowska, Cezary Kucio, Piotr Król, Ryszard Zarzeczny, Robert Roczniok – An investigation of the effects of local thermotherapy on neuromuscular excitability in healthy people. Fizjoterapia Polska 2011; 11(3); 241-252

Abstract
The goal of the investigation was to assess neuromuscular excitability changes brought about by local cooling and warming procedures in healthy people divided into comparative groups A, B, C and D were tested for neuromuscular excitability changes. In each group, the subjects’ skin temperature was measured above the median nerve and the excitability of the flexor pollicis longus muscle stimulated indirectly via the median nerve was assessed using chronaxiemetry. Then the groups of subjects underwent respective procedures. In group A, the subjects received a 12-minute cooling procedure with gel packs at -10ºC. In group B, the subjects were applied a 2-minute cooling procedure using liquid nitrogen vapours at the temperature of –160ºC. In group C, microwave diathermy (2450 MHz) was applied to the subjects for 12 minutes. The subjects in group D received a 12-minute shortwave diathermy procedure (27 MHz). Skin temperature and chronaxie were measured again as soon as the procedures were complete and then the measurements were repeated for the third and last time 20 minutes later. Cooling procedures with gels at the temperature of -10ºC and liquid nitrogen vapours at the temperature of -160ºC as well as shortwave diathermy at 280 W inhibit neuromuscular excitability. This effect is maintained for at least 20 minutes following the procedure. Heating with microwave diathermy at 100 W does not reduce neuromuscular excitability.
Key words:
Cryotherapy, thermotherapy, Diathermy, Neuromuscular stimulation, neuromuscular excitability
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