Thermovision assessment of temperature changes in selected body areas after short-wave diathermy treatment

Bożena Kaźmierska,Krzysztof Andrzej Sobiech,Agnieszka Chwałczyńska,Ewa Demczuk - Włodarczyk

doi:10.1007/s10973-021-11136-z

Abstract

The aim of this study is to provide the thermal imaging assessment of local and general surface temperature changes after short-wave diathermy treatment. The study group consisted of 26 women aged 19–24. The correct functioning of the thermoregulation system was determined by means of cold pressor and orthostatic tests. The subjects underwent short-wave diathermy treatment in the area of the right knee joint, and the body’s response was determined by thermovision using a ThermaCAM P640 thermal imaging camera manufactured by FLIR. Curves were recorded in a digital form (images with a resolution of 640 × 480 pixels) and analyzed with ThermaCAM ReporterTM software. In people with a properly functioning thermoregulation system, the short-wave diathermy treatment statistically significantly increased the body surface temperature on the posterior surface of the knee joint. On the front side, the surface temperature decreased. There were no changes in surface temperature in the other areas of the body studied. The results of thermal imaging studies confirmed the local nature of the action of short-wave diathermy. The recommendation to use a physical procedure should be preceded by an assessment of the body’s thermoregulation system level of function. Reactions to the prescribed physical treatment may be different in people with a disturbed autonomic system.

Highlights

Thermotherapy is a field of physical medicine in which we introduce thermal energy into the body during physical therapy treatments [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]
The thermovision method allows the assessment of changes in the body under the influence of a physical stimulus
The short-wave diathermy treatment in people with a properly functioning thermoregulation system caused an increase in the surface temperature at the specific area of the treatment

Summary

Introduction

Thermotherapy is a field of physical medicine in which we introduce thermal energy into the body during physical therapy treatments [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. SWD is a form of electromagnetic therapy that generates oscillation of the electromagnetic field causing the movement of ions, molecule deformation and creates a vortex of electricity, producing heat at the deep tissue level It is the second method, after ultrasound, which according to the available literature [10], generates heat, causing the expansion of blood vessels and increases the. The subjective assessment carried out using the VAS scale or the Laitinen questionnaire is complemented using tests of the range of motion in the joints, functional tests of the patient’s mobility and the risk of falling (“Timed Up and Go”—TUG test), or the assessment of the perimeters These measurements determine the impact of SWD in the perspective of long-term activities with at least 10 treatments [14, 15]. Non-invasive methods of evaluating the body’s response to thermotherapy is thermovision

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