Effects of Ultrasound and Trolamine Salicylate Phonophoresis on Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of ultrasound and phonophoresis using an anti-inflammatory-analgesic cream (trolamine salicylate) on delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Repeated eccentric contractions were used to induce DOMS in the elbow flexors of 40 college-aged women. Subjects were then assigned randomly to one of four groups: (1) group 1 (n = 10) received sham ultrasound using placebo cream, (2) group 2 (n = 10) received sham ultrasound using trolamine salicylate cream, (3) group 3 (n = 10) received ultrasound using placebo cream, and (4) group 4 (n = 10) received ultrasound using trolamine salicylate cream. Subjects were treated on 3 consecutive days. Muscle soreness and active elbow range of motion were assessed daily prior to each treatment. The subjects in group 3 experienced an increase in DOMS, whereas no increase in soreness was observed in the subjects in group 4. The authors concluded that ultrasound enhanced the development of DOMS but that this enhancement was offset by the anti-inflammatory-analgesic action of salicylate phonophoresis. These findings suggest that salicylate phonophoresis may be useful in clinical situations in which it is desirable to administer ultrasound without increasing inflammation.

Comparison of the Therapeutic Efficacy of Diclofenac Sodium and Methyl Salicylate Phonophoresis in the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis

“…[13][14][15][16] Previous studies have established the therapeutic effectiveness of various types of NSAIDs gel PH on both acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain and disorders. [17][18][19][20] Because of the established efficacy of this modality, there are several ongoing studies with some controversies from previous studies. An example of this is the study of Kozanoglu et al [18] which reported that ibuprofen PH was not superior to conventional TUS in patients with knee OA and that both were found to be therapeutically effective.…”

“…This result corroborates previous studies concerning the efficacy of PH and TUS in relieving pain, improving function and enhancing healing in musculoskeletal disorders. [16][17][18][19][20] The reduction in pain and improved functional activity level could be a result of the local thermal and mechanical effects of TUS and the analgesic gels on tissues surrounding the painful knee.…”

“…A previous study by Klaiman et al [27] on the efficacy of fluocinonide PH versus TUS in subjects with soft tissue injuries found no difference in pain level and pressure tolerance among groups. Similarly, Ciccone et al [17] evaluated the efficacy of trolamine salicylate PH and ultrasound therapy on delayed onset muscle soreness. They reported that topically applied salicylates (10%, trolamine salicylate) via PH significantly reduced muscle soreness.…”

Anti-Hyperalgesic Effects of Meloxicam Hydrogel via Phonophoresis in Acute Inflammation in Rats; Comparing Systemic and Topical Application

“…In many studies on phonophoresis, continuous ultrasound was used to enhance the delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs (Ciccone et al, 1991;Kozanoglu et al, 2003). Ultrasound waves are associated with nonthermal and mechanical effects such as vibration, pressure, and cavitation of cells as the waves pass through the tissue (Nyborg, 1985).…”

Relative Therapeutic Efficacy of Phonophoresis and Cryotherapy as Combined Therapy in the Management of Musculoskeletal Injuries

“…Intermittent cryotherapy was applied directly over the subjects' affected areas with the same procedure described in the DMT group. At the expiration of cryotherapy application, the treated part was cleansed with a towel and continuous ultrasound at zero (0) intensity and frequency settings (no US transmission) was applied with 1.5g of placebo aquasonic gel (devoid of methyl salicylate 15% cream) as coupling medium (Ciccone et al, 1991;McElnay et al, 2004) for 8 minutes.…”