Original Research

Comparison of the Heating Efficacy of the AutoSound With Traditional Ultrasound Methods

Eric McCutchan, MS, ATC; Timothy J. Demchak, PhD, ATC; Jody B. Brucker, PhD, ATC

  • Athletic Training and Sports Health Care
  • March/April 2012 - Volume 4 · Issue 2: 73-78
  • DOI: 10.3928/19425864-20110715-02
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Abstract

Ultrasound treatments typically require clinicians to perform the treatment by moving the ultrasound transducer throughout treatment area. However, the AutoSound performs the “movement” by activating and deactivating 4 transducer heads on a hands-free unit. The study purpose was to determine whether heating differences exist between traditional ultrasound and AutoSound treatments. Twelve healthy volunteers were treated with both the AutoSound and the Omnisound (3-MHz frequency; 1 W/cm2; 8 minutes). The tissue returned to baseline prior to the second ultrasound treatment. Two thermocouples measured triceps surae temperature 1-cm deep. A 2×2×2 ANOVA determined differences between site, time, and modality. Both ultrasound treatments caused an increase in intramuscular temperature (P < .01): Omnisound from 34.1±1.1°C to 37.3±1.6°C and AutoSound from 33.9±1.0°C to 35.9±1.4°C (P < .01). Clinically, a treatment with the AutoSound may have to last longer than one with an Omnisound ultrasound unit to achieve comparable heating using similar parameters.

AUTHORS

Mr McCutchan is from Hendricks Regional Health, Danville, and Dr Demchak is from the Department of Applied Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana; and Dr Brucker is from the School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services, Division of Athletic Training, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Funding for this study was provided by Indiana State University, College of Graduate and Professional Studies.

The authors have no financial or proprietary interest in the materials presented herein.

Address correspondence to Timothy J. Demchak, PhD, ATC, Department of Applied Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana State University, 567 N 5th Street, Student Services Building-Room 201, Terre Haute, IN 47809; e-mail: Timothy.Demchak@indstate.edu

doi: 10.3928/19425864-20110715-02

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