Efficacy of ultrasound-guided galvanic electrolysis technique and physical therapy in patients with Achilles' tendinopathy: A pilot randomised controlled trial.
Marco Di Gesù, Angelo Alito, Daniele Borzelli, Domenico Romeo, Fabio Bonomolo, Dario Calafiore, Alessandro de Sire
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Ultrasound-guided galvanic electrolysis technique (USGET) is an innovative mini-invasive intervention with the potential to optimise outcomes in the treatment of Achille's tendinopathy (AT).
Objective: The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the efficacy of adding USGET to conventional eccentric exercise treatment in patients with chronic AT.
Methods: Inclusion criteria were patients with unilateral non-insertional AT, pain lasting > 3 months, aged 25-60 years. Patients were randomised in two groups receiving the same physiotherapy treatment (2 sessions per week for 8 weeks). In addition, the experimental group received three USGET stimulations, one every 15 days. Outcome measures were assessment of Achilles tendinopathy severity using the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) and pain intensity using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Assessment points occurred at the onset of treatment (T0), its conclusion (T1), and subsequent follow-ups at one (T2) and two months (T3).
Results: Out of the 52 patients who met the study inclusion criteria, two participants withdrew from the study, resulting in a total of 50 subjects who completed the research. None of the parameters showed a different distribution at T1 (p> 0.337). At T2, there was a statistical difference in VISA-A (p= 0.010) and its subscales and VAS (p= 0.002) in the USGET group. At T3, both groups improved with a statistical difference observed in VISA-A (p< 0.001) and its subscales Pain (p= 0.004), Function (p= 0.003) and Sport (p= 0.002), but the EG patients showed a greater improvement. No adverse events were reported.
Conclusion: The effect of USGET combined with eccentric exercise appears to be a safe and effective technique for achieving pain relief and functional recovery in the medium term, supporting the integrated use of USGET as a rehabilitative treatment option for patients with chronic AT.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation is a journal whose main focus is to present relevant information about the interdisciplinary approach to musculoskeletal rehabilitation for clinicians who treat patients with back and musculoskeletal pain complaints. It will provide readers with both 1) a general fund of knowledge on the assessment and management of specific problems and 2) new information considered to be state-of-the-art in the field. The intended audience is multidisciplinary as well as multi-specialty.
In each issue clinicians can find information which they can use in their patient setting the very next day.