Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Category

STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics)

Abstract/Artist Statement

Poster Presentation Abstract Submission

Increasing Range of Motion of the Elbow Considering Optimal Patient Positioning during Ultrasound Treatment

Mower, L, Niemann, K, Moody, V. University of Montana

Context: Ultrasound uses inaudible, high-frequency vibrations to promote blood flow to injured tissue and improve tissue extensibility. Previous studies suggest that a stretching window, albeit brief, follows an ultrasound treatment, maximizing improvement in tissue extensibility. There is currently minimal evidence supporting the idea that applying a stretch during an ultrasound treatment facilitates improvement in joint mobility. The purpose of this study was to compare positioning of the elbow in a stretched and a relaxed position during an ultrasound treatment to determine which produced greater improvements in elbow mobility.

Methods: A convenience sample of seven healthy adults were selected for this study (2 females, 3 males; average age 26 + 8 years, height 68 ±4 inches, and weight 180 + 6 lbs). A repeated measures design was used whereby subjects completed two separate trials with a week between each trial. The two trials included vigorous heating ultrasound treatment for 5 minutes on the subject’s right elbow in either a stretched position or relaxed position. Elbow extension was measured with a standard 12-inch goniometer before and after each trial. Three measurements were obtained and an average was recorded. Treatment order was randomized and spaced out a week apart. Microsoft Excel was used to calculate descriptive statistics for each participant’s height, weight, and age along with elbow extension. A 2 x 2 (trial x time) repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS v26.0 was used to calculate mean difference between the stretched and relaxed position trial. Significance was set a priori at p = 0.05.

Results: A 2 (time) x 2 (trial) repeated measures ANOVA revealed no statistical difference between the resting and stretched positions while delivering ultrasound (p=0.76); however, there was a main effect for time (p=0.00), where both trials demonstrated improved elbow extension range of motion. Follow up trial comparison demonstrated statistical significance, p = 0.033, where the stretched trial on average improved elbow range of motion 1.5 degrees more than the resting trial.

Conclusion: Our study showed that there was no statistical difference between the relaxed and stretched positions while delivering ultrasound treatment. For all participants, both positions produced an increase in elbow range of motion with vigorous heating using ultrasound; however, it was unclear if the ultrasound treatment itself or the gravity dependent position of the joint influenced the study outcomes.

Word Count: 380

Mentor Name

Valerie Moody

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Increasing Range of Motion of the Elbow Considering Optimal Patient Positioning during Ultrasound Treatment

Poster Presentation Abstract Submission

Increasing Range of Motion of the Elbow Considering Optimal Patient Positioning during Ultrasound Treatment

Mower, L, Niemann, K, Moody, V. University of Montana

Context: Ultrasound uses inaudible, high-frequency vibrations to promote blood flow to injured tissue and improve tissue extensibility. Previous studies suggest that a stretching window, albeit brief, follows an ultrasound treatment, maximizing improvement in tissue extensibility. There is currently minimal evidence supporting the idea that applying a stretch during an ultrasound treatment facilitates improvement in joint mobility. The purpose of this study was to compare positioning of the elbow in a stretched and a relaxed position during an ultrasound treatment to determine which produced greater improvements in elbow mobility.

Methods: A convenience sample of seven healthy adults were selected for this study (2 females, 3 males; average age 26 + 8 years, height 68 ±4 inches, and weight 180 + 6 lbs). A repeated measures design was used whereby subjects completed two separate trials with a week between each trial. The two trials included vigorous heating ultrasound treatment for 5 minutes on the subject’s right elbow in either a stretched position or relaxed position. Elbow extension was measured with a standard 12-inch goniometer before and after each trial. Three measurements were obtained and an average was recorded. Treatment order was randomized and spaced out a week apart. Microsoft Excel was used to calculate descriptive statistics for each participant’s height, weight, and age along with elbow extension. A 2 x 2 (trial x time) repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS v26.0 was used to calculate mean difference between the stretched and relaxed position trial. Significance was set a priori at p = 0.05.

Results: A 2 (time) x 2 (trial) repeated measures ANOVA revealed no statistical difference between the resting and stretched positions while delivering ultrasound (p=0.76); however, there was a main effect for time (p=0.00), where both trials demonstrated improved elbow extension range of motion. Follow up trial comparison demonstrated statistical significance, p = 0.033, where the stretched trial on average improved elbow range of motion 1.5 degrees more than the resting trial.

Conclusion: Our study showed that there was no statistical difference between the relaxed and stretched positions while delivering ultrasound treatment. For all participants, both positions produced an increase in elbow range of motion with vigorous heating using ultrasound; however, it was unclear if the ultrasound treatment itself or the gravity dependent position of the joint influenced the study outcomes.

Word Count: 380