Article

Although therapeutic ultrasound is commonly used to treat shoulder
injuries, research to date on the ability of ultrasound to improve outcomes for shoulder pathologies is conflicting.
This study aimed to
systematically and critically review available literature to ascertain whether
beneficial effects of ultrasound were associated with certain shoulder
pathologies or particular ultrasound treatment protocols. METHODS: Five
electronic databases were searched, and the included studies, identified through
pair consensus, were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that utilized ultrasound
for soft tissue shoulder injury or pain. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:
Eight studies included in this review (n=586 patients, median PEDro score=8.0/10)
evaluated various parameters, including the duration of patients' symptoms (0-12
months), duty cycle (20% and 100%), intensity (0.1-2.0 W/cm2), treatment time per
session (4.5-15.8 minutes), number of treatments (6-39), and total energy applied
per treatment (181-8,152 J). DATA SYNTHESIS: Inconsistent outcome measures among
studies precluded meta-analysis; however, 3 RCTs showed statistically significant
benefits of ultrasound, 2 of which examined calcific tendinitis. Studies that
showed beneficial effects of ultrasound typically had 4 times longer total
exposure times and applied much greater ultrasound energy per session (average of
4,228 J) compared with studies that showed no benefit of ultrasound (average of
2,019 J). No studies that delivered < or = 720 J per session showed improvement
in treatment groups. LIMITATIONS: Current research involving ultrasound treatment
protocols that delivered low levels of ultrasound energy do not adequately
address whether ultrasound can improve outcomes for shoulder disorders.
CONCLUSION: Determining whether therapeutic ultrasound can affect soft tissue
shoulder pathologies will require further research and systematic reviews that
involve appropriate ultrasound treatment protocols.

Langue : ANGLAIS