Short- and Mid-Term Results Using a 448 Kilohertz Radiofrequency Stimulation on the Elasticity Plantar Fascia Measured by Quantitative Ultrasound Elastography on Active Healthy Subjects: An Open Controlled Clinical Trial with Three Months of Follow-Up.

Abstract

Background: This study is an open clinical trial that included 3 months of follow-up. Methods: This study aimed to show the changes that occur in the viscoelastic properties of the PF measured by SEL after the six applications of a 448 kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency (CRMR) in active, healthy subjects, immediately before the CRMR intervention (T0), during the two-week CRMR intervention program (T1), after the CRMR intervention program (T2), two weeks after the CRMR intervention program (T3), one month after the CRMR intervention program (T4), and three months after the CRMR intervention program (T5). Results: Our results showed that the effects of CRMR on the plantar fascia elasticity may last up to one month in a healthy population after a 3-week treatment program when compared to controls, specifically following the medial process of the calcaneal tuberosity (points 1 and 2). However, there were no changes when analyzing points 3 and 4. These findings are a first step towards understanding the duration of the CRMR effects in the elastic properties of the tissue and therefore how long the benefit may last. Conclusions: This study showed that changes in the plantar fascia elasticity measured by SEL have been found after a CRMR intervention protocol, similarly to other structures reported in the literature, such as the patellar tendon or supraspinatus tendon.