Abstract

Objective:The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of an audible low frequency acoustic waveform on pain and range of motion (ROM) for patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Methods:Twenty one adults with OA (7 males and 14 females with a mean age of 68.1 ± 12.4) participated in the study and were recruited from local advertisements to participate in a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test, 24 hour post-test design using a new technology called the Medsonix Therapy System. Prior to and after the intervention, ROM was measured for the wrist, knee, and hip using goniometry, and pain was assessed using a visual analog pain scale across all conditions. Six participants at a time were then seated in a circle facing a column housing a generator approximately one foot away from the column and were given the intervention for 25 minutes. Data were analyzed using one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Results:Patients had less pain immediately (p < 0.001) and at 24 hours (p < 0.01). ROM significantly improved in right and left hip flexion (p < 0.01), left wrist flexion (p < 0.01), and left knee flexion (p < 0.05) pre to post. Significant improvements were noted in hip flexion (left, p < 0.001; right, p < 0.01) and wrist flexion (left, p < 0.05; right, p < 0.01) after 24 hours, but not in knee flexion or wrist extension ROM. Conclusion:The results of this pilot study suggest that use of the Medsonix Therapy System as an alternative form of therapy appears to improve ROM in various joints while decreasing pain in individuals diagnosed with OA utilizing an audible low frequency acoustic waveform.

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