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Phys. Ther. Korea 2020; 27(2): 133-139
Published online May 20, 2020
https://doi.org/10.12674/ptk.2020.27.2.133
© Korean Research Society of Physical Therapy
Immediate Effects of High-frequency Diathermy on Muscle Architecture and Flexibility in Subjects With Gastrocnemius Tightness
Ji-hyun Kim1, BPT, PT, Joo-hee Park2, PhD, PT, Hyeo-bin Yoon1, MSc, PT, Jun-hyeok Lee1, BPT, PT, Hye-seon Jeon2,3 
, PhD, PT
1Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University, 2Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science,
Yonsei University, 3Department of Ergonomic Therapy, The Graduate School of Health and Environment, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea
Correspondence to: Hye-seon Jeon
E-mail:
Hyeseonj@yonsei.ac.kr
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3986-2030
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Background: The gastrocnemius (GCM) is one of the lower extremity muscles that tend to tighten easily. GCM tightness results in limited ankle dorsi-flexion (DF), especially when the knee joint is fully extended. Joint flexibility is determined by the morphological and physiological characteristics of joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Impaired joint flexibility can be attributed to increased susceptibility to muscle injury. High-frequency diathermy is clinically used to reduce pain and muscle tightness and to improve limited range of motion.
Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of high-frequency therapy in subjects with GCM tightness.
Methods: The study was designed as a one-group before–after trial. The subjects included 28 volunteers with GCM tightness (an active ankle DF angle of less than 12°) without any known neurological and musculoskeletal pathologies in the ankle and calf areas. WINBACK Transfer Electrode Capacitive and Resistive Therapy equipment was used to apply high-frequency therapy to the subjects’ GCMs for 10–15 minutes. The pennation angle and the fascicle length of the GCM were measured using ultrasonography. The flexibility of the ankle joint, peak torque to the passive ankle DF (Biodex), and soft tissue stiffness (MyotonPRO) were also measured.
Results: The pennation angle was significantly decreased following the treatment; however, no significant difference in the fascicle length was found (p < 0.05). The flexibility was significantly increased and both the passive peak torque to passive ankle DF and the soft tissue stiffness significantly decreased (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: High-frequency therapy is immediately effective for improving the muscle’s architectural properties and functional factors in subjects with GCM tightness. Further longitudinal clinical studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of high-frequency therapy on subjects with GCM tightness from various causes.
Keywords: Ankle, Diathermy, Muscle tonus, Physical therapy modalities
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ARTICLE
Phys. Ther. Korea 2020; 27(2): 133-139
Published online May 20, 2020 https://doi.org/10.12674/ptk.2020.27.2.133
Copyright © Korean Research Society of Physical Therapy.
Immediate Effects of High-frequency Diathermy on Muscle Architecture and Flexibility in Subjects With Gastrocnemius Tightness
Ji-hyun Kim1, BPT, PT, Joo-hee Park2, PhD, PT, Hyeo-bin Yoon1, MSc, PT, Jun-hyeok Lee1, BPT, PT, Hye-seon Jeon2,3 , PhD, PT
1Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University, 2Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science,
Yonsei University, 3Department of Ergonomic Therapy, The Graduate School of Health and Environment, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea
Correspondence to:Hye-seon Jeon
E-mail:
Hyeseonj@yonsei.ac.kr
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3986-2030
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Background: The gastrocnemius (GCM) is one of the lower extremity muscles that tend to tighten easily. GCM tightness results in limited ankle dorsi-flexion (DF), especially when the knee joint is fully extended. Joint flexibility is determined by the morphological and physiological characteristics of joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Impaired joint flexibility can be attributed to increased susceptibility to muscle injury. High-frequency diathermy is clinically used to reduce pain and muscle tightness and to improve limited range of motion.
Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of high-frequency therapy in subjects with GCM tightness.
Methods: The study was designed as a one-group before–after trial. The subjects included 28 volunteers with GCM tightness (an active ankle DF angle of less than 12°) without any known neurological and musculoskeletal pathologies in the ankle and calf areas. WINBACK Transfer Electrode Capacitive and Resistive Therapy equipment was used to apply high-frequency therapy to the subjects’ GCMs for 10–15 minutes. The pennation angle and the fascicle length of the GCM were measured using ultrasonography. The flexibility of the ankle joint, peak torque to the passive ankle DF (Biodex), and soft tissue stiffness (MyotonPRO) were also measured.
Results: The pennation angle was significantly decreased following the treatment; however, no significant difference in the fascicle length was found (p < 0.05). The flexibility was significantly increased and both the passive peak torque to passive ankle DF and the soft tissue stiffness significantly decreased (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: High-frequency therapy is immediately effective for improving the muscle’s architectural properties and functional factors in subjects with GCM tightness. Further longitudinal clinical studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of high-frequency therapy on subjects with GCM tightness from various causes.
Keywords: Ankle, Diathermy, Muscle tonus, Physical therapy modalities
Fig 1.
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Ultrasonography data.
Variables Pre data Post data p-value Pennation angle (°) 19.83 ± 4.82 16.46 ± 5.85 0.000 Fascicle length (mm) 1.95 ± 1.67 2.45 ± 2.52 0.381 Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation..
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Ankle joint range of motion and joint passive stiffness.
Variables Pre data Post data p-value Range of motion (°) DF ROM in squat 25.61 ± 9.20 31.93 ± 8.27 0.000 Passive ROM 8.39 ± 6.34 13.21 ± 5.85 0.000 Joint passive stiffness 14.21 ± 2.95 12.8 ± 2.78 0.000 Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation. DF, dorsi-flexion; ROM, range of motion..
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Hand-held myotonometer data.
Variables Pre data Post data p-value Muscle tone (Hz) 19.67 ± 1.91 18.15 ± 1.6 0.000 Stiffness (N/m) 380.7 ± 52.27 335.3 ± 40.41 0.000 Relaxation time (ms) 14.64 ± 1.58 16.11 ± 1.45 0.000 Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation..