Abstract
ABSTRACT Studies have described the use of electrophysical agents (EPA) by physical therapists worldwide. However, the use of EPA by Brazilian physical therapists remains undetermined. This study aims to describe the availability, use, and perception about EPA by orthopedic and sports physical therapists in Brazil. Professionals of the area were invited to answer an online questionnaire. Demographic data and information regarding the availability, use and perception about EPA in their current clinical practice were asked. Out of 376 physical therapists included in this study, 89% declared to use EPA in clinical practice. Sensory electrotherapy with pulsed current (TENS), therapeutic ultrasound, excitomotor electrotherapy with pulsed current (FES/NMES), and cryotherapy are available for more than 3/4 of interviewees. Scientific articles and clinical experience, respectively, are the most influential factors for the choice of EPA. Ultrasound is the most frequently used EPA, followed by TENS, cryotherapy, photobiomodulation, hot packs, and FES/NMES. The top-five most useful EPA in clinical practice chosen by physical therapists are: (1) ultrasound; (2) photobiomodulation; (3) TENS; (4) cryotherapy; and (5) FES/NMES. In conclusion, EPA are widely used by orthopedic and sports physical therapists in Brazil. Therapeutic ultrasound, TENS, FES/NMES, photobiomodulation, cryotherapy, and hot packs are the most used EPA in clinical practice of these physiotherapists.
Highlights
According to the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT), “electrophysical agents” (EPA) is the contemporary expression to describe the use of electrophysical and biophysical energies to evaluate, to treat and to prevent impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions[1]
According to studies published in the last decade[11,13,17,18], therapeutic ultrasound, sensory electrotherapy with pulsed current, hot packs and cryotherapy are the EPA most commonly used by physical therapists
A total of 84 participants were excluded from data analysis for not meeting the inclusion criteria regarding the occupation area or due to mistakes identified in filling out the questionnaire
Summary
According to the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT), “electrophysical agents” (EPA) is the contemporary expression to describe the use of electrophysical and biophysical energies to evaluate, to treat and to prevent impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions[1]. Since the 1990s, studies have been conducted to describe the availability and use of EPA by physical therapists in different countries, such as Australia[9,10,11], the United States of America[12,13], Canada[14], England[15], Ireland[16], Israel[17], and Japan[18]. According to studies published in the last decade[11,13,17,18], therapeutic ultrasound, sensory electrotherapy with pulsed current (popularly known as TENS – transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), hot packs and cryotherapy are the EPA most commonly used by physical therapists. The therapeutic arsenal of physical therapists includes: excitomotor pulsed currents, commonly known as FES (functional electrical stimulation) or NMES (neuromuscular electrical stimulation); alternating currents (e.g., interferential current and Russian current); direct current (galvanic current); short-wave diathermy; microwave diathermy; photobiomodulation/ phototherapy with light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (LASER) and/or light emitting diode (LED); and biofeedback, among others[11,13,17,18]
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