Oral Presentations - Session 2F: UC 333
Comparing the Effects of Moist Heat Pack and Pulsed Short Wave Diathermy on Shoulder Range of Motion
Presentation Type
Presentation
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Valerie Moody
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Health and Human Performance
Abstract / Artist's Statement
Thermotherapy has been used within the scope of athletic therapy for its beneficial therapeutic effects. Superficial thermotherapy is an inexpensive, easy way to heat local tissues at depths less than 2 cm; whereas, deep thermotherapy is more expensive and less traditional way to heat, but penetrates to deeper structures. This study compares the effectiveness of moist heat packs and diathermy on shoulder range of motion. To date, there is no research comparing these two modalities ability to improve shoulder range of motion. The purpose of this study was to see if there is a significant difference in using a moist heat pack or pulsed short wave diathermy to improve shoulder range of motion. Six athletic training students enrolled in the University of Montana Athletic Training Education Program were used in this study (3 males, 3 females). Their ages range from 20-25 with a mean age of 22 years ± 1.79. The mean height of the participants was 68.92 inches ± 2.34 with a mean weight of 166.5 lbs ± 29.15. All participants had no previous history of shoulder injury in either shoulder. A SPI TRONIC Digital Inclinometer was used to measure shoulder internal, external rotation, and horizontal adduction. Three measurements were taken before and after a 20 minute moist heat pack, diathermy, or control treatment. The participants completed each treatment once with at least 48 hours between treatments. Our results indicate that the use of modalities independently has minimal effects on shoulder range of motion. Therefore, in conjunction with current research, clinicians should use these modalities in conjunction with exercise to maximize benefits. Further research is necessary to determine if the use of hot packs or diathermy in combination with stretching routines or shoulder strengthening exercises may have a greater impact on shoulder range of motion than exercise alone.
Comparing the Effects of Moist Heat Pack and Pulsed Short Wave Diathermy on Shoulder Range of Motion
UC 333
Thermotherapy has been used within the scope of athletic therapy for its beneficial therapeutic effects. Superficial thermotherapy is an inexpensive, easy way to heat local tissues at depths less than 2 cm; whereas, deep thermotherapy is more expensive and less traditional way to heat, but penetrates to deeper structures. This study compares the effectiveness of moist heat packs and diathermy on shoulder range of motion. To date, there is no research comparing these two modalities ability to improve shoulder range of motion. The purpose of this study was to see if there is a significant difference in using a moist heat pack or pulsed short wave diathermy to improve shoulder range of motion. Six athletic training students enrolled in the University of Montana Athletic Training Education Program were used in this study (3 males, 3 females). Their ages range from 20-25 with a mean age of 22 years ± 1.79. The mean height of the participants was 68.92 inches ± 2.34 with a mean weight of 166.5 lbs ± 29.15. All participants had no previous history of shoulder injury in either shoulder. A SPI TRONIC Digital Inclinometer was used to measure shoulder internal, external rotation, and horizontal adduction. Three measurements were taken before and after a 20 minute moist heat pack, diathermy, or control treatment. The participants completed each treatment once with at least 48 hours between treatments. Our results indicate that the use of modalities independently has minimal effects on shoulder range of motion. Therefore, in conjunction with current research, clinicians should use these modalities in conjunction with exercise to maximize benefits. Further research is necessary to determine if the use of hot packs or diathermy in combination with stretching routines or shoulder strengthening exercises may have a greater impact on shoulder range of motion than exercise alone.