An investigation comparing patient perception when applying ultrasound and manual therapy

Robert Marshall                                                                                             Supervisor: Emma Chippendale

Abstract

The purpose for doing this study was to analyze the difference (if any) of patients perceived response to their treatment when the practitioner uses touch or a combination of touch and an ultrasound machine as an applicator. Three groups of fifteen subjects were examined in this dissertation. Subjects were selected to be of similar age and have similar presenting soft tissue injuries to limit the level of variability. Subjects in group A were treated using a combination of manual therapy and ultrasound, subjects in group B were treated using manual therapy, and subjects in group C were treated using manual therapy and a ‘sham’ ultrasound. All therapies were standardized so replication of techniques was possible. The data was statistically analyzed and the results showed that there appeared to be no correlation in an increased perception of pain relief among the subjects when ultrasound was applied in conjunction with manual therapy.