Therapeutic Ultrasound: Its Effects on the lntegrity of a Nonpenetrating Wound*.

This study investigated the effect of ultrasound applied to traumatized muscle tissue of an adult male rat. Sixty-six rats were traumatized, treated, and sacrificed. The rats were assigned to one of 11 groups, to which experimental and control (two mock) ultrasound treatments were given at 3- and 7-minute time periods at 0.5 and 1.5 watts per square centimeter intensities (pulsed and continuous ultrasound). The rats were given a total of six treatments, once every other day three times a week. Treatments began on the third day following the receipt of a nonpenetrating wound on the right lateral thigh. The animals were subsequently analyzed histologically to determine the extent of healing cells present. The principal findings were as follows: 1) ultrasound intensities had a significant effect on healing, 2) there was no statistical difference between the overall means of the control and experimental groups, and 3) there was no difference between the pulsed and continuous modes of ultrasound or between treatment times.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1984;5(5):278-281.