Heating Capacity of ReBound Shortwave Diathermy and Moist Hot Packs at Superficial Depths

Abstract

Context: The effectiveness of a new continuous diathermy unit, ReBound, as a heating modality is unknown.Objective: To compare the effects of ReBound diathermy with silicate-gel moist hot packs on tissue temperature in the human triceps surae muscle.Design: Crossover study. Setting: University research laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 12 healthy, college-aged volunteers (4 men, 8 women; age ¼ 22.2 6 2.25 years, calf subcutaneous fat thickness ¼ 7.2 6 1.9 mm).Intervention(s): On 2 different days, 1 of 2 modalities (ReBound diathermy, silicate-gel moist hot pack) was applied to the triceps surae muscle of each participant for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, the modality was removed, and temperature decay was recorded for 20 minutes.Main Outcome Measure(s): Medial triceps surae intramuscular tissue temperature at a depth of 1 cm was measured using an implantable thermocouple inserted horizontally into the muscle. Measurements were taken every 5 minutes during the 30-minute treatment and every minute during the 20-minute temperature decay, for a total of 50 minutes. Treatment was analyzed through a 2 3 7 mixed-model analysis of variance with repeated measures. Temperature decay was analyzed through a 2 3 21 mixed-model analysis of variance with repeated measures.Results: During the 30-minute application, tissue temperatures at a depth of 1 cm increased more with the ReBound diathermy than with the moist hot pack (F 6,66 ¼ 7.14, P , .001). ReBound diathermy and moist hot packs increased tissue temperatures 3.698C 6 1.508C and 2.828C 6 0.908C, respectively, from baseline. Throughout the temperature decay, ReBound diathermy produced a greater rate of heat dissipation than the moist hot pack (F 20,222 ¼ 4.42, P , .001).Conclusions: During a 30-minute treatment at a superficial depth, the ReBound diathermy increased tissue temperature to moderate levels, which were greater than the levels reached with moist hot packs.

Theeffectivenessofginger compress on non-specific low back pain

“…Heat is most commonly used for its immediate soothing and palliative effects. Heat has been used as a therapeutic modality for many years and has been shown to increasecirculation, increase metabolism, decrease tissue stiffness, decrease painand relax muscle spasms [16,17].Some reviews recommend superficial heat application for pain relief [18,19]. However, the evidence to support the utilization of superficial heat for low back pain is limited.…”

“…Some reviews recommended superficial heat application for pain relief [17,18]. Many episodes of low back pain result from a strain or over-exertion, creating tension in the muscles and soft tissues around the spine.…”

Efficacy of ReBound Diathermy as a Thermal Heating Agent: A Critically Appraised Topic

“…[1][2][3][4] Modalities used to raise tissue temperature include warm whirlpools, moist hot packs (MHPs), paraffin bath, therapeutic ultrasound, and pulsed shortwave diathermy (PSWD). These modalities can be separated into superficial and deep modalities according to their depth of penetration.…”

“…Superficial modalities heat tissues 1 cm deep and include MHP, warm whirlpools, and paraffin baths. 2 Deep modalities heat tissues 3 cm deep and include shortwave diathermy (SWD) and therapeutic ultrasound. 2 The physiological effects created by the thermal agent is determined based on the degree of intramuscular temperature increase, duration of temperature increase, size of the area being treated, and rate of temperature rise.…”

“…2 Deep modalities heat tissues 3 cm deep and include shortwave diathermy (SWD) and therapeutic ultrasound. 2 The physiological effects created by the thermal agent is determined based on the degree of intramuscular temperature increase, duration of temperature increase, size of the area being treated, and rate of temperature rise. 2 Mild heating of the tissue is a 1°C increase, which increases the metabolic rate of the heated tissues.…”