Hi Nicky,
There was a good general overview in Physiotherapy in July 1998
(84(7):335-344) by Robertson and Spurritt looking at the availability
and usage of electrotherapy equipment, and the evidence base for it.
The article does provide useful references to follow up and would be
a good starting point if you haven't already seen it. In general, I
think you'll find that there's not a lot of evidence for these
modalities, due mainly to the lack of trials. TENS is probably the
exception. That's not to say they're definitely not effective of
course, it's just that we as a profession haven't quite investigated
them thoroughly as yet - the truth is out there!
One of the main conclusions of their survey was that "we must
increase our emphasis on the importance of research on EPAs
[Electrophysical Agents] in clinical practice". i.e. there's a
distinct lack of it!!
Happy hunting!
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > Our department has lots of electrical equipment.
> >
> > We are looking into the evidence to support the use of treatments
> > such as Pulsed Short Wave Diathermy and Interferential.
> >
> > We found some support for Ultrasound, but not much for anything
> > else.
> >
> >If anyone knows of any research evidence that supports any electrotherapy
> >treatment please let me know.
> >
> > thankyou
> >
> > Nicky Mackenzie
> > Snr Physiotherapist
> > City Hospital NHS Trust
> > Birmingham
> >
>
Shea Palmer MCSP BSc(Hons),
Research Student (Physiotherapy),
Queen Margaret College,
EDINBURGH, EH6 8HF.
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