A survey of electromodality usage in private physiotherapy practices

Abstract

This study aimed to examine ownership and usage frequencies of electrotherapeutic modalities typically found in private physiotherapy practices in Brisbane. The survey included 73 practices, representing 70 per cent of the selected sample. Results revealed that ultrasound units were used more "frequently" than any other modality. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and interferential units were also used extensively. Short-wave diathermy units were found in more clinics than any other heating modality. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was the only modality to demonstrate a significant difference [p< 0:05) in "Frequent" usage between practitioners aged under 31 and those 31 and older. Overall, the majority of respondents (77.5 per cent) trained at the University of Queensland, a fact which may have influenced the identified trends.

Usage Patterns and Beliefs about Therapeutic Ultrasound by Canadian Physical Therapists: An Exploratory Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

“…Although a high proportion of respondents to our survey had access to US (85%) and considered US use relevant to their practice (81%), the proportion who use US daily (36%) was lower than proportions reported in previous surveys (84-95%). 3,33 This is probably because our survey targeted all physical therapists in Alberta, regardless of specialization area, and therefore involved physical therapists working in areas where US may not be relevant. In fact, 78% of respondents who reported not using US also said that US was not applicable to their practice setting.…”

“…Factors that may be contributing to this decreased use of US are unconvincing evidence for its effectiveness (35% of our respondents reported that US was not effective in their clinical experience and that they prefer other modalities to accomplish therapeutic objectives) and a lower rate of access to US equipment (81%) relative to that reported in other surveys (99%). 3,33 General use of US for therapeutic purposes…”

“…2 Therapeutic US has become one of the most commonly used electrophysical modalities; surveys carried out in different countries have consistently identified it as a central component of physical therapy practice. [3][4][5][6][7] …”

“…2 Therapeutic US has become one of the most commonly used electrophysical modalities; surveys carried out in different countries have consistently identified it as a central component of physical therapy practice. [3][4][5][6][7] Therapeutic US has been applied to a wide range of health conditions, including acute, sub-acute, and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Benefits of therapeutic US have been claimed for a variety of phenomena, including wound healing, 8 soft-tissue lesion management, 9,10 increasing soft-tissue extensibility, 11,12 remodelling scar tissue, 9,13 diagnosing stress fractures, 14,15 and pain relief.…”

“…Lindsay and colleagues' (1995) report of US usage among private-practice physical therapists in Alberta, Canada, indicated very high levels of usage (94% reported using US at least once per day). 3 This information is somewhat dated, however, and no information is available from therapists working in other practice settings. Moreover, the information was drawn from a survey of overall use of electrotherapy modalities that did not focus only on US and did not explore respondents' beliefs about therapeutic US.…”