2014, Volume 6, Issue 4

Evaluation of analgesic effectiveness of infrared radiation and interference currents in degenerative diseases

Malgorzata Kawa¹, Ewa Muszynska², Malgorzata Kowza-Dzwonkowska<sup>3

1</sup>Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport in Gdansk
²Clinic of Rehabilitation of St. Adalbert Specialist Hospital
³Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport in Gdans


Author for correspondence: Malgorzata Kawa; Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport in Gdansk; email: kawusia[at]awf.gda.pl

Full text

Abstract

Background: The aim of this research is to evaluate analgesic effectiveness of infrared radiation and interference currents in degenerative diseases of joints. On the grounds of current practical and theoretical experience, the following hypothesis was formed: Application of interference currents and infrared radiation constitutes effective analgesic therapy in degenerative diseases, and in the case of the applied treatment, its effectiveness is long-term.
Material/Methods: Tests were conducted on a group consisting of 32 women and men in the age range of 65-87 years of age suffering from a degenerative disease of the knee joint. The patients were applied a series of 10 treatments with application of the Sollux lamp for 15 minutes and interference currents of 50-100 HZ frequency for 5 minutes and 90-100 Hz for 10 minutes during treatment. Evaluation of the efficiency of therapy was checked by means of the VAS scale and the Laitinen scale.
Results: The results indicate an efficient analgesic effect according to the VAS scale immediately after treatment p = 0.002 and a month after treatment p = 0.000 as well as according to the Laitinen scale immediately after treatment p = 0.004 and a month after treatment p = 0.004.
Conclusions: Application of infrared radiation and interference currents indicates an analgesic effect. These treatments may be alternative or supportive to pharmacological treatment in the case of degenerative changes in people who are over 65 years of age. Results of the research suggest continuation of further research on the effectiveness of the above-mentioned therapy and the length of preserving analgesic results in people with degenerative diseases of joints.

Key words: degenerative diseases, physical therapy, pain, gerontology