Abstract
Aims: Radiofrequency-based electrophysical agents (EPAs) have been used in therapy practice over several decades (e.g. shortwave therapies). Currently, there is insufficient evidence supporting such EPAs operating below shortwave frequencies. This laboratory-based study investigated the deep physiological effects of 448 kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency (CRMRF) and compared them to pulsed shortwave therapy (PSWT).Methods: In a randomized crossover study, 17 healthy volunteers initially received four treatment conditions: high, low and placebo dose conditions receiving 15-min CRMRF treatment and a control condition receiving no intervention. Fifteen participants additionally received high-dose PSWT as fifth condition, for comparison. Pre- and post-treatment measurements of deep blood flow and tissue extensibility were obtained using Doppler ultrasound and sonoelastography. Group data were compared using analysis of variance model. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ .05, 0.8 power, and 95% confidence interval.Results: Significant increases in volume and intensity of deep blood flow were obtained with CRMRF over placebo, control (p = .003) and PSWT (p < .001). No significant changes in blood flow velocity or tissue extensibility were noted for any condition.Conclusions: Deep blood flow changes with CRMRF were more pronounced than that with PSWT, placebo or control. Potential greater therapeutic benefits need to be confirmed with comparative clinical studies.
Highlights
The efficacy of electrophysical agents (EPAs) used in therapy practice is underpinned by their ability to influence the body’s physiological mechanisms, thereby affecting the underlying pathological processes
The current study addressed the issue of physiological effects of both types of frequency ranges of RF by performing due comparisons between capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency (CRMRF) that operates at 448 kHz in continuous mode and pulsed shortwave therapy (PSWT) that operates at 27 MHz in pulsed mode
An equivalent high dose of PSWT failed to show any impact on either parameter, which meant that overall CRMRF induced a significantly more pronounced physiological response out of the two types of radiofrequency-based EPAs
Summary
The efficacy of electrophysical agents (EPAs) used in therapy practice is underpinned by their ability to influence the body’s physiological mechanisms, thereby affecting the underlying pathological processes This can lead to effects such as reduction in pain and inflammation, acceleration of tissue healing and overall improvements in function [1, 2]. Several of these benefits relate to thermophysiological responses in the body such as changes to blood flow, muscle tone and tissue compliance achieved primarily through induced tissue hyperthermia [3,4,5,6]. Measures relating to blood flow and tissue compliance closely reflect the body’s response when tissues are exposed to heat, with the radiofrequency energy potentially capable of inducing a hyperthermic effect at depth [16,17,18]
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