The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy

The Korean Society of Physical Therapy (대한물리치료학회)
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Effects of Low-Intensity Wearable Ultrasound Technology on Pain, Muscle Tone, and Body Temperature in Women: Randomized Control Trials

  • SungYeon Oh (Department of Physical Therapy, Sunmoon University) ;
  • Jaeho Yu (Department of Physical Therapy, Sunmoon University)
  • Received : 2024.05.17
  • Accepted : 2024.06.26
  • Published : 2024.06.30
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Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of low-intensity wearable ultrasound technology on pain, muscle tension, and body temperature compared to normal medical ultrasounds. Methods: A total of 36 women volunteered to be in this study. Participants were randomly distributed into a wearable ultrasound group (WUG) (n=10) and a medical ultrasound group (MUG) (n=10). The intervention was conducted on a one-off basis. We measured pain using KSF-MPQ, VAS, and an algometer; muscle tension was measured using a Myoton PRO; body temperature was analyzed using an IRIS-XP. All measurements were evaluated using a paired t-test and an independent t-test. Results: In this study, low-intensity wearable ultrasound positively affected pain, muscle tone, and body temperature. In the independent t-test, there was a significant difference in muscle tension in both groups (p<0.05); in the case of stiffness, there was a significant difference in the WUG (p<0.05). For elasticity, there was no significant difference in the MUG (p>0.05), although there was a significant difference in the WUG (p<0.05). In the stress recovery time, elasticity, relaxation, and creep there were no significant differences in the MUG (p>0.05). For body temperature, and in the KSF-MPQ, VAS, and algometer assessments, there were significant differences noted in both groups (p<0.01). Conclusion: First, wearable therapeutic devices using low-intensity ultrasound significantly affected pain, tenderness, muscle tension, and body temperature. Second, wearable therapeutic devices using low-intensity ultrasound can be as effective as traditional medical ultrasound devices.

Keywords

References

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