Evaluation of the Effects of Tecar Therapy on Acute Symptoms of Athletes Following Lateral Ankle Ligament Sprain

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Tecar therapy as a modality has been considered due to its reported effects on reducing pain and swelling and finally increasing range of motion and improving function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of tecar therapy on acute symptoms of athletes following lateral ankle ligament sprain in the treatment and control groups between pre-treatment periods, after 6 sessions, and after 12 sessions of treatment. Methods: In this study, 23 patients in each group including athletes with an acute lateral ankle ligament sprain in the acute stage in Tehran. The participant of this study were divided into 2 groups of control with normal treatment and the second group with normal treatment + tecar treatment. Participants were homogenized in terms of age, height, weight, and level of exercise. To evaluate the pain intensity of patients in the two groups and to measure the swelling of the ankle joint, a tape measure (mm) was used. A goniometer was used to measure the degree of ankle motions. The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) questionnaire was also used to collect data. Results: Statistical analyzes showed that the mean numerical visual criterion of pain in both groups was significantly lower after 6 and 12 sessions of treatment (P<0.001). The results of the analysis of variance showed that the mean swelling in the treatment group and in the control group after 6 and 12 sessions of treatment (P<0.001) was significantly lower than the mean swelling before treatment. Also, the mean swelling after 12 sessions of treatment was significantly lower than after 6 sessions of treatment (P<0.001). Regarding daily life activities and the percentage of athlete satisfaction in performing the activity, the test results showed that the athlete’s scores after 6 and 12 sessions of treatment (P<0.001) were significantly higher than before treatment. Also, their scores after 12 sessions of treatment were significantly higher than 6 sessions (P<0.001). The performance scores in both groups after 6 and 12 sessions of treatment (P<0.001) were significantly higher than performance scores before treatment. Also, the performance scores after 12 sessions of treatment were significantly higher than 6 sessions of treatment (P<0.001). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that tecar therapy in patients with lateral ligament sprain of the ankle joint improves the condition of symptoms after an injury, including swelling, pain, daily life activities, percentage of athlete satisfaction with daily activities, and finally his performance and it can be used as a complementary treatment along with common therapies.