Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

The effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound for musculoskeletal conditions of the lower limb: a literature review

Shanks, P., Curran, M., Fletcher, P. and Thompson, R. (2010) The effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound for musculoskeletal conditions of the lower limb: a literature review. The Foot. 20(4), pp. 133-139. 0958-2592.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: Background: Ultrasound is suggested as one of the treatment options available for soft tissue musculoskeletal conditions of the lower limb and to this end, the objective was to review the literature and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound for musculoskeletal conditions of the lower limb. Methods: A search of the literature published between 1975 and February 2009 was carried out. All studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were quality assessed and scored using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) appraisal tool [1] for randomised controlled trials. Results: Ten studies out of a possible fifteen were included in the review. Only one trial was considered to be high quality (score 16+), three medium quality trials (score 11–15) were identified and six trials were considered to be low or poor quality (score≤10). None of the six placebo-controlled trials found any statistically significant differences between true and sham ltrasound therapy. Conclusion: This literature review found that there is currently no high quality evidence available to suggest that therapeutic ultrasound is effective for musculoskeletal conditions of the lower limb
Creators: Shanks, Pippa, Curran, Mike, Fletcher, Paul and Thompson, Richard
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Podiatry
Date: 1 December 2010
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 133-139
Journal or Publication Title: The Foot
Volume: 20
Number: 4
Number of Pages: 6
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foot.2010.09.006
ISSN: 0958-2592
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: Yes
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/10957

Actions (login required)

Edit Item Edit Item