Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “ELECTROTHERAPY”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

[Insufficient scientific evidence for efficacy of widely used electrotherapy, laser therapy, and ultrasound treatment in physiotherapy].

The Dutch Health Council recently published a report on the efficacy of electrotherapy, laser therapy and ultrasound treatment for musculoskeletal disorders. The assessment was based on three systematic reviews, including 169 randomized clinical trials, and focused on a best-evidence synthesis. Virtually no conclusive clinically relevant effects of the three forms of physical therapy were found. Possible exceptions are electrotherapy for osteoarthrosis of the hip or knee, laser therapy for pain treatment and rheumatoid arthritis, and ultrasound treatment for epicondylitis lateralis. But even for these putative indications, further research is clearly needed before implementation in practice is justifiable. It is strongly recommended that the current widespread use of electrotherapy, laser therapy and ultrasound treatment should be reduced, preferably by self-regulation within the profession itself.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed2004

Assessment of electrotherapy in treatment of hemorrhoids in Southern Iran.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we have developed an electrotherapy device in order to improve the outcome and decrease the number of referrals and duration of treatment of internal hemorrhoid. METHODS: We treated 2015 hemorrhoids among 931 patients (382 males and 549 females); 319 hemorrhoids were grade 1, 1158 grade 2 and 538 grade 3, from May 1995 to October 2002, at Nemazee and Faghihee Hospitals in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. All patients were referred due to fresh rectal bleeding or reducible prolapsed hemorrhoid with no response to medical treatment. After introduction of anesthesia, 27-30 mAmp direct current was applied to each hemorrhoid with durations of 4.5 minutes for grade 1, 5.5 minutes for grade 2 and 7 minutes for grade 3. RESULTS: Our results showed that 97.1% of patients responded well to the treatment and 27 patients returned with fresh rectal bleeding or prolapsed hemorrhoid in 2 weeks to 2 months postoperatively. Ninety-six percent of the patients were discharged on the same operating day. After 24 hours postoperation, 92% of the patients had no any pain and no need any analgesic. Among those patients who had not responded to the treatment; 24 cases underwent electrotherapy for a 2nd time and 3 patients were treated excising their prolapsed hemorrhoids. No other complications were detected. CONCLUSION: Postoperative pain was mild and tolerable and 93.2% of patients returned to normal activity after 2 days. Electrotherapy with the above mentioned method is considered safe and effective without any major complications and with acceptable patient's satisfaction. This method can be used for treatment of grades 1, 2 and 3 hemorrhoids.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Differentiated electrotherapy of neurogenic urination disorders].

As a therapeutic management of neurogenic disorders of micturition is an actual problem, the authors analysed the results of electrotherapy in 58 patients suffering from the aforementioned conditions. Out of them 22 patients sustained conservative and 36 combined treatment with the use of electrical stimulation of the urinary bladder. With regard to the clinical manifestations of micturition distress and the pattern of the bladder dysfunction the patients were allocated to three groups: group 1-34 patients with chronic urine retention; group 11-9 patients with enuresis; group 11-15 patients with the combination of all the symptoms mentioned. With regard to the disease etiology and pathogenesis as well as the functional performance of the lower urinary tract, electrotherapy of the bladder sphincter-detrusor system was performed according to certain parameters developed. Group I patients were exposed to impulsive cross currents with following linear electric stimulation of detrusor; group II patients underwent transrectal electrical stimulation of the sphincter, group III patients were simultaneously subjected to the effect of impulsive cross currents and linear electrical stimulation of the detrusor. In 70.7 per cent of the patients the treatment was a success, in 13.9 it led to an insignificant improvement and in 15.4 per cent it was a failure. Thus, selectively used electrotherapy essentially improves the rehabilitation of the patients suffering from neurogenic distress of micturition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Electrotherapy].

Electrotherapy is defined as the sum of therapeutic modalities of physical medicine capable to change the threshold of elicitation of nerve or muscle. Classification due to applied pulse frequencies, way of action of transcutaneous nerve stimulation (= TENS) and of iontophoresis is described. Pain syndromes, muscle atrophy by loss of activity and support of wound healing are named as accepted indications for electrotherapy. The difficulties of electrical stimulation of paretic muscles and the problem, whether different indications for certain forms of electrotherapy exist or not, is discussed.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗
PubMed1987

Psychological factors affecting outcome of treatment after transcutaneous electrotherapy for persistent tinnitus.

We used transcutaneous electrotherapy to treat 27 patients with persistent tinnitus. Each patient was tested with the short form of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Index test (MMPI) prior to the commencement of treatment. The "unimproved" group of patients (n = 15) showed higher pretreatment scores for depression (P less than 0.05), psychasthenia (P less than 0.05) and schizophrenia (P less than 0.02). Our findings indicate that patients having significantly pathological scores on at least one of these three scales will fail to benefit from treatment. These findings also show that there appear to be psychological prognostic factors that can be used to evaluate patients receiving transcutaneous electrotherapy for persistent tinnitus.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Synthesis of nitric oxide in human osteoblasts in response to physiologic stimulation of electrotherapy.

Electrotherapy for bone healing, remodeling and wound healing may be mediated by modulation of nitric oxide (NO). Using NO-specific fluorophore (DAF-2), we report here that application of non-invasive, physiologic electrical stimulation induces NO synthesis in human osteoblasts, and that such NO generation is comparable to that induced by estrogen treatment. For example, application of a sinusoidal 1 Hz, 2 V/cm (peak to peak) electrical stimulation (ES) increases NO-bound DAF-2 fluorescence intensity by a 2-fold within 60 min exposure by activating nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Increase in the NO level is found to depend critically on the frequency and strength of ES. While the frequency of 1 Hz ES seems optimal, the ES strength >0.5 V/cm is required to induce significant NO increase, however. Nitric oxide synthesis in response to ES is completely prevented by blocking estrogen receptors using a competitive inhibitor, suggesting that NO generation is likely initiated by activation of estrogen receptors at the cell surface. Based on these findings, physiologic stimulation of electrotherapy appears to represent a potential non-invasive, non-genomic, and novel physical technique that could be used to regulate NO-mediated bone density and facilitate bone remodeling without adverse effects associated with hormone therapy.

Bone Remodeling↗
PubMed2002

Current concepts in electrotherapy.

Electrotherapy has an established role in the management of a wide range of musculoskeletal and neurological problems. Used in conjunction with other therapeutic interventions, it can make a positive contribution to patient care. The means by which a range of different exogenous energy forms can influence the physiological state of the tissue is well documented. Different therapeutic modalities achieve their effects in different tissues, and the clinical decision-making process should employ the available evidence in order to maximize the potential benefit for each patient. The applied energy essentially acts as a trigger that is responsible for stimulating, enhancing or activating particular physiological events, which in turn are utilized to achieve therapeutic benefit. There appear to be windows of opportunity related to the magnitude of the applied energy, the amplitude of the stimulus and the frequency of application. Tissues appear to vary in their responsiveness to these factors, and thus an appropriate modality applied in an inappropriate manner will fail to achieve the anticipated effect. This paper aims to review the current concepts of electrotherapy intervention, taking into account various theories which support the principles. Application of various energies in this way can result in significant benefit for the patient.

Contraindications↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Electrotherapy promotes healing and microcirculation of infrapopliteal ischemic wounds: a prospective pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if high-voltage pulsed current (HVPC) electrotherapy augments ischemic wound healing and increases periwound microcirculation. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, single-blinded, sham-controlled clinical trial was conducted on a homogenous subset of quasi-stable ischemic wounds. INTERVENTION: Active HVPC or sham HVPC was applied to wounds for a 14-week period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Wounds were monitored every 4 weeks, except 2 weeks between weeks 12 and 14, for wound area, wound appearance, and microcirculation, which was measured by transcutaneous oxygen (TcPO2) levels and laser Doppler flow. RESULTS: Ischemic wounds treated with active HVPC decreased in size, contrary to the expected increase in ischemic wound size that was observed in wounds in the control group (P <.05, Student t test; week 4). A trend toward smaller wound area occurred in wounds in the HVPC group compared with wounds in the control group (week 14). Among the HVPC group, an improvement in periwound microcirculation occurred at weeks 8 (P <.05, TcPO2; P <.01, laser Doppler) and 12 (P <.05, laser Doppler). These increases suggest that HVPC promotes arteriolar vasodilation and dermal capillary formation. HVPC was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that HVPC decreased the area of ischemic wounds, reversing the expected increase in wound size, and improved microcirculation. The promising results of this pilot study require a larger Phase II study to confirm and generalize these findings. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Electrotherapy may prove to be a relatively safe and effective complement to surgical revascularization to improve the odds of healing ischemic wounds and promoting limb salvage.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Electrotherapy in mice: dopaminergic and noradrenergic effects in the Tail Suspension Test.

The Tail Suspension Test (TST) is a psychotropic screening test which is used principally to detect antidepressant activity. Electrotherapy (ECT) is used to treat depressions which are resistant to the usual antidepressant drugs and has proved to have a profile in the TST approaching that of antidepressants after treating mice at the rate of 2 shocks per day for 5 days. The results of a single treatment were not statistically different from those of the control group, whereas single daily treatment for 5 days showed a reduction in immobility which did not differ significantly from the control group. The reduction in immobility, induced by 5 days of ECT treatment twice daily, was antagonized by sulpiride and prazosin but not by yohimbine, methysergide, metergoline and DL propranolol. The results suggest that electrotherapy leads to an increase in noradrenergic and dopaminergic activities expressed by a reduction in immobility in the TST.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Safety and effectiveness of cranial electrotherapy in the treatment of tension headache.

One hundred patients were enrolled in a multicenter double-blind study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Pain Suppressor Unit, a cranial electrotherapy stimulator for the symptomatic treatment of tension headaches. Treatment consisted of extremely low level, high frequency current applied transcranially. Pain scores before and after 20 minute treatments of individual headaches as well as patient and physician global evaluations were the primary efficacy variables. Following use of the active unit, patients reported an average reduction in pain intensity of approximately 35%. Placebo patients reported a reduction of approximately 18%. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.01). The active unit was rated as moderately or highly effective in 40% by physicians, and in 36% by patients. Both physicians and patients scored the placebo unit moderately or highly effective for only 16%. The difference in ordered outcomes was statistically significant (p = 0.004). Approximately 10% of patients in each group reported at least one minor adverse experience. Cranial electrotherapy stimulation is distinct from TENS, and is safe and often effective in ameliorating the pain intensity of tension headaches. It should be considered as an alternative to the chronic usage of analgesics.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Stages of vegatative afferentation in reorganization of bladder control during intravesical electrotherapy.

420 patients were treated with transurethral, intravesical electrotherapy to improve the function of paralyzed urinary bladder. Normal conscious micturition control was obtained by 314 patients. This electrotherapy contrasts sharply in method and goal with all implanted pacemakers or inserted electric plugs. Nor does the therapy have anything in common with various bladder training methods. The aim of therapy is to recreate vegetative afferentation from the bladder to the CNS. Reactivation of the intramural bladder receptors and facilitation processes plays an important part in establishing normal bladder control.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Cranial electrotherapy stimulation reduces aggression in a violent retarded population: a preliminary report.

Nine aggressive, retarded patients refractory to conventional care at a maximum security hospital were given a 3-month course of cranial electrotherapy stimulation. Aggressive episodes declined 59% from baseline; seclusions were down 72%; restraints were down 58%; and use of prescribed-as-needed sedative medications decreased 53%. The most dramatic change was that of a disorganized, schizophrenic patient whose aggressive episodes declined from 62 to 9, seclusions from 53 to 8, restraints from 9 to 1 and PRNs from 25 to 1. No patients discontinued cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) because of side effects. This preliminary report indicates that CES appears to be an efficacious, safe, and cost-effective addition to the treatment regimen in this patient population.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

New developments in electrotherapy.

In the last decade, and especially in the last five years, there has been a proliferation of new electrotherapy devices on the physical therapy market. As therapists, we have looked for other modalities to enhance our ability to help our patients. We have also seen PTs develop innovative treatment approaches, using these devices for pain relief, edema control, wound healing, and enhancement of muscle contractility. The following is a brief overview of some innovative electrotherapy approaches being used by PTs.

Analgesia↗
PubMed1975

[Electrotherapy of life-threatening arrhythmia in acute myocardial infarct].

As a result of an adjustment of the experiences which were made in four clinics with the electrotherapy of life-threatening disturbances of rhythm in acute myocardial infarction recommendations for the use of this therapy are given. The value of the various methods of electrotherapy compared with medicamentous treatment are elaborated.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed2003

The history of electrotherapy of pain--or: what Voltaren has to do with voltage.

To reasons not yet completely understood, the pharmaceutical trademark Voltaren or Voltarol refers to the Italian scientist Alessandro Volta (1745-1827) who played an important role in the history of electricity. It is shown that electrotherapy has been used for the treatment of pain, gout and rheumatic disorders from ancient times to the present day. This therapeutic attempt was also discussed in scientific literature in the late 1960s, the time Voltaren was under development. Therefore, it is suggested that the electrotherapy of pain in history is a background for chosing this trademark.

Electric Stimulation Therapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Electric current distribution in tissues upon electrotherapy.

The authors have used computer simulations to study electric current distribution in tissues upon electrotherapy. The results are shown on a computer plot and apply to various types of current. Simulations on a simplified circular structure (as a model of a limb cross section) give a better understanding of the problem and clearly demonstrate the influence of electrode position and geometry. Simulations have established the possibility of directing the current density at particular internal areas. The greatest current density occurs close to the surface of the bone in an area midway between the electrodes, and larger electrodes may make treatment more effective. These conclusions are verified in the more realistic structure of a thigh cross section and extrapolation to a length section is made. Finally, the influence of metallic implants is considered. The conclusions of this work are of great practical interest to electrotherapy, particularly electrode techniques.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1978

Legal aspects of electrotherapy in a catatonic renal transplant patient.

The treatment of a case of catatonic schizophrenia in a renal transplanted patient is presented and demonstrates that electrotherapy can be life-saving and that there are already adequate legal controls which guarantee the patient's rights. Yet zealots are attempting to have legislators pass laws preventing the use of electrotherapy even in voluntary patients. To help prevent these resolutions from being passed, psychiatrists must become more active in the legislative process.

Adult↗