Immediate Effects of High-frequency Diathermy on Muscle Architecture and Flexibility in Subjects With Gastrocnemius Tightness
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.
The Effectiveness of Tecar Therapy in Musculoskeletal Disorders
Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of tecar therapy in musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: Computerized search in databases such as PubMed / Medline, Web of knowledge, Lilacs, Scielo, PEDro, RCAAP and Cochrane, to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of tecar therapy in musculoskeletal conditions. Results: Six articles, were included in this review, through the inclusion and exclusion criteria, where they were divided in four categories: low back pain, femur fracture, rotator cuff tendinopathy and delayed onset muscle soreness on the quadriceps. Conclusion: The tecar therapy is an excellent therapy for the physiotherapeutic use and it´s incorporation in a conventional rehabilitation program, or it´s isolated use, may have advantages in the short and long term effects.
Effects of Transfer Energy Capacitive and Resistive On Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Abstract: The use of transfer energy capacitive and resistive (TECAR) therapy to treat musculoskeletal pain has not been clearly established. Hence, this study was conducted to combine the available results. We searched the main databases, including PubMed (January 1950), Web of Knowledge (January 1945), Scopus (January 1980), and ProQuest (January 1983) until December 2021, to find the related studies. Only those studies were included that assessed the pain in participants who received TECAR therapy and compared it with a control group. Using the random effect model, standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated at a 95% confidence interval (CI). The differences between patients and control group were -1.04 after four weeks of intervention (95% CI: -1.59 to -0.48, I2 =86.9%) and -1.80 after eight weeks (95% CI: -2.15 to -1.46, I2 =87%), which was significant (P<0.001). The intra-group pain comparison before and after two, four, and eight weeks of TECAR therapy obtained SMD levels of -3.96 (95% CI: -5.28 to -2.65, I2 =96.9%), -4.12 (95% CI: -5.98 to -2.26, I2 =97.3), and -5.03 (95% CI: -7.23 to -2.83, I2 =92.2%), respectively. Despite some limitations, our findings may assist clinicians in decision-making about TECAR therapy for the approach to musculoskeletal pain based on evidence-based medicine.
Effectiveness of TECAR Therapy on Clinical Symptoms and Neurophysiological Parameters of Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Abstract: Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most typical peripheral entrapment neuropathy. To date, various non-invasive methods have been used to manage CTS. This study investigates the effectiveness of Transfer Energy Capacitive and Resistive (TECAR), a new physical agent modality, on symptoms and neurophysiological parameters in patients with CTS. Methods: In this single-blind randomized clinical trial, 29 patients with mild or moderate CTS were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 received TECAR therapy with a frequency of 500 Hz and an intensity of 30 to 50%, 2 sessions/week, in addition to wrist splints and vitamin B supplements for 4 weeks. Group 2 also received a wrist splint and vitamin B for 4 weeks without TECAR therapy. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ-SSS and FSS), as well as clinical and neurophysiological findings, were assessed before and 8 weeks after treatment. Within and between-group comparisons were made after the intervention period.
The Effectiveness of 448 kHz Capacitive Resistive Monopoles Radio Frequency in Acute Ankle Sprain: A Case Report
Abstract: The aim of the present report was to find out the effect of 448 kHz Capacitive Resistive Monopolar Radiofrequency (CRMRF) in acute ankle sprain. A patient with right unilateral acute ankle sprain participated in the present case study. The patient followed a course of 448 kHz CRMRF twice per day for seven consecutive days. Evaluations included self-reported pain via a visual analogue scale, degree of ankle edema and ankle range of motion via goniometry carried out before the treatment and at the end of the treatment. There was a decline in pain and a rise in function in all evaluations. The results of the present trial suggest that a course of 448 kHz CRMRF as described in the present trial can produce significant improvements in terms of pain and disability in acute ankle sprain; however, larger studies are required confirming these results.
The effectiveness of Capacitive Resistive Diathermy (Tecartherapy®) in acute and chronic musculoskeletal lesions and pathologies
Abstract: Objectives: To assess the clinical effectiveness of capacitive resistive diathermy (Tecartherapy®) in treatment of musculoskeletal lesions and pathologies based on clinical researches. Data Sources: Major medical databases, including Pubmed, Medline, Science Direct and Google Scholar. Study selection: Articels that contained data on the treatment of acute and chronic pathologies in sports with TecarTherapy®. Data Synthesis: Seven articles studied the effectiveness of Tecartherapy® apparatus in athletes presenting acute and chronic pathologies of the musculoskeletal. Conclusion: We concluded that Capacitive resistive Diathermy Tecartherapy® is able to treat knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, spinal column, hand, muscle injuries rapidly ,and efficiently, in addition to painful inflammatory, osteoarticular and muscular disorders (arthrosis, lumbago, sciatica).
TECAR Therapy Associated with High-Intensity Laser Therapy (Hilt) and Manual Therapy in the Treatment of Muscle Disorders: A Literature Review on the Theorised Effects Supporting Their Use
Abstract: Background: It has been estimated that between 30 and 50 per cent of all injuries that take place throughout participation in a sport are the consequence of soft tissue injuries, and muscle injuries are the primary cause of physical disability. Methods: The current literature review was designed between October 2021 and April 2022, according to the PRISMA standards, using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. At the screening stage, we eliminated articles that did not fit into the themes developed in all subchapters of the study (n = 70), articles that dealt exclusively with orthopaedics (n = 34), 29 articles because the articles had only the abstract visible, and 17 articles that dealt exclusively with other techniques for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. The initial search revealed 343 titles in the databases, from which 56 duplicate articles were automatically removed, and 2 were added from other sources. Results: The combination of these three techniques results in the following advantages: It increases joint mobility, especially in stiff joints, it increases the range of motion, accelerates tissue repair, improves tissue stability, and extensibility, and it reduces soft tissue inflammation (manual therapy). In addition, it decreases the concentration of pro-inflammatory mediators and improves capillary permeability, resulting in the total eradication of inflammation (HILT). It warms the deep tissues, stimulates vascularity, promotes the repose of tissues (particularly muscle tissue), and stimulates drainage (TECAR). Conclusions: TECAR therapy, combined with manual therapy and High-Intensity Laser therapy in treating muscle diseases, presented optimal collaboration in the recovery process of all muscle diseases.
Experience of Using Tekar Therapy in Patients with Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Nervous System
Abstract: The method of Tecar therapy is used in the treatment of joint diseases, in particular, osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint damage and one of the leading causes of disability in the world. According to statistics, in the age group from 25 to 74 years, about 30% of the population have joint pathology confirmed by radiation diagnostic methods. The main symptom of osteoarthritis, which forces the patient to seek specialized help, is pain. The frequently detected discrepancy between the severity of clinical and radiological manifestations of the disease is explained by the peculiarities of the formation and irradiation of pain in pathology. The study included 80 patients with radiologically confirmed diagnoses: 35 patients suffering from coxarthrosis (stages 2-3) and 45 patients suffering from gonarthrosis (stages 2-3). Of these, 38% are men. Pain intensity was assessed by a 10-point visual-analog pain scale (VAPS). Reduction of pain level by 5-6 points was assessed as significant for joints. It is also advisable to prescribe Tekar therapy for neuropathies of various etiologies since clinical experience shows a significant and rapid reduction of pain and inflammation after its implementation, which reduces the recovery time of such patients and improves their quality of life.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of capacitive and resistive energy transfer in Piriformis Syndrome: first experiences
Tecartherapy performed with HCR 901 (Unibell) was shown to reduce the symptomatology of subjects suffering from Piriformis Syndrome: a decrease in pain and a better load distribution between the lower limbs was observed. The beneficial effects of this therapy have allowed patients to recover their autonomy in carrying out daily actions.
Abstract: The Piriformis Syndrome (SP) is an often-misunderstood cause of pain in the gluteus, hip, sometimes with irradiation to the back portion of the thigh. The analysis of existing literature data shows that the main cause of SP is traumatic; other possible etiologies include lower limbs heterometers, major orthopaedic hip surgery and piriform-like myositis. The therapeutic treatments described for the SP include oral intake of NSAIDs and muscle relaxants, local anaesthetics and corticosteroid injections, direct inoculation of TBA and physiological therapies such as ultrasound, stretching, deep transversal massage. The aim of this clinical study is to evaluate the efficacy of Tecartherapy with HCR 901 (Unibell) in pain reduction, functional independence enhancement and improvement of load distribution between the lower limbs, in patients with Piriformis Syndrome. 10 subjects were treated with 10 sessions of 30 minutes, using the maximum power allowed by the patient's sensitivity to tissue heat enhancement. In no case adverse side effects were observed and all patients reported an improvement of the abovementioned symptoms since the first applications, with considerable variations between the parameters recorded in the pre-treatment phase and those verified at the15-days follow-up. Naturally our results are still small and preliminary and require further studies.
Source: D. Marchese et al, Valutazione dell’efficacia del trasferimento energetico capacitivo e resistivo nella sindrome
del piriforme: prime esperienze, EUR MED PHYS 2008; 44(Suppl. 1 to No. 3)
© Minerva Medica
Hyperthermia through resistive and capacitive energy transfer in the treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal lesions
Tecartherapy performed with HCR 900 (Unibell) has proven effective in reducing pain in a short time in patients who suffered from acute and chronic muscle, tendon and joint injuries of various origins. An immediate decrease in perceived pain was observed, which allowed to recover the function of the affected limb or joint.
Abstract The objective of this clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy of resistive and capacitive energy transfer induced through the application of TECAR® apparatus (HCR 900) in patients presenting acute and chronic pathologies of the musculoskeletal apparatus. Evaluating the intensity and time of exposure, there are possibilities for using this new method for in-depth energy transfer in tissues subjected to inflammatory reaction. De Lauteur and Lehmann noted how endogenous thermal increase can have therapeutic effects related to increased blood flow. The tissue, in fact, behaves as a semiconductor, offering resistance to the passage of electric energy and this is transformed to temperature. It is believed that the therapeutic action depends on the endothermic effect and the increase of potential energy of the cellular membranes. This study evaluates the efficacy of hyperthermia for chronic and acute musculoskeletal disorders. Depending on the power used, we can observe 3 phases characterised by biological effects well- defined as cellular biostimulation, analgesia, increased blood flow and phenomena of lymphatic drainage. The study examined 60 patients (33 with acute pathologies), the majority of which reported an improvement in pain symptoms
Keywords: Hyperthermia, cellular biostimulation, analgesia, lymphatic drainage, musculoskeletal pathology
Source: E. Parolo et al, Ipertermia a trasferimento energetico resistivo e capacitivo nel trattamento di lesioni muscoloscheletriche acute e croniche, La riabilitazione, 1998; 31(2): 81-3
Tecar® therapy in knee and spinal pathologies
This study analyses the efficacy of Tecartherapy on a series of disorders affecting the knee and spine: knee arthrosis, cervical spine, vertebral contusion by "whiplash", sciatica, hernia of the lumbar intravertebral discs. Tecartherapy is a very useful tool for most osteoarticular diseases and its validity increases when combined with other therapies. It is also easy to apply and without secondary effects
Abstract The positive results obtained with the HCR 900 device in various medical conditions can be attributed to a series of biological effects produced by the capacitive and resistive energy transfer technique. In particular, they can be related to the increase in internal temperature and simultaneous microdilatation of vessels, which in turn promote improved cellular biochemistry, and to increased blood and lymph flow, which increases nutrient and oxygen uptake, thereby optimizing intracellular respiration and the elimination of toxic catabolites. Based on this knowledge, it has been possible to test the clinical actions of HCR 900 at the Homeopathic and Biological Medicine Centre in Barcelona.
Keywords: Knee osteoarthritis, sciatica, cervical spine, whiplash, herniated disc
Source: M. P. Benitez & J. F. Colomer, La Tecarterapia nella patologia del ginocchio e della colonna vertebrale
Tecartherapy in tendinopathies of the rotator cuff: our experience
In individuals affected by rotator cuff tendinopathy, the treatment with capacitive-resisitive energy transfer allows, a rapid pain elimination, a rapid restoration of limb function and an improvement in quality of life.
Abstract Tendinopathies of the rotator cuff represent the most frequent cause of pain and functional impotence of the shoulder. In this study we aimed to compare the results obtained using the Resistive Capacitive Energy Transfer (TECAR) associated with a functional rehabilitation program, versus the use of combined physical therapy (iontophoresis, TENS, LASER, and ultrasound). The patients were divided into two groups: group A was treated with physical therapy protocols which involved the combination of electrotherapy (iontophoresis and T.E.N.S) with ultrasound and LASER associated with functional rehabilitation; group B was treated with the capacitive-resistive energy transfer also associated with functional reeducation. The integrated rehabilitative treatment performed by group B determined the resolution of the oedema after the first three treatment sessions, the restoration of both active and passive mobility with a significant reduction in the algic symptoms, as demonstrated by the values of the VAS scale and the Simple Shoulder Test already after the first four weeks with further improvements observed at the eighth week of follow-up.
Source: G. Sanguedolce et al, Tecar-terapia nelle tendinopatie della cuffia dei rotatori: nostra esperienza, EUR MED
PHYS 2009;45(Suppl. 1 to No. 3)
©Minerva Medica, Torino
Multicentre, randomised, controlled study of the efficacy and safety of treatment with regenerative diathermy in Achilles tendinitis, trochanteric bursitis and temporomandibular syndrome
This study shows that treatment with Tecartherapy induces an improvement in the perception of symptoms in patients suffering from Achilles tendinitis and trochanteric bursitis. Moreover, the technology allows to obtain complete compliance from the patient and has no side effects.
Abstract Questo studio multicentrico, randomizzato e controllato indaga l’efficacia e la sicurezza della tecnologia Tecar in tre condizioni: tendinite dell’Achilleo (AT), borsite trocanterica (TB) e sindrome temporo-mandibolare (TMS). 66 pazienti sono stati suddivisi in un gruppo placebo e uno trattato e sono stati valutati con la scala VAS, SF-36 e mediante una scala di osservazione paziente/osservatore, prima e dopo il periodo di trattamento di 1 mese. È da segnale l’alta accettazione della terapia e l’assenza di effetti indesiderati. L’impressione soggettiva di miglioramento era molto forte nel caso di TB e AT. Questo però non corrispondeva ai risultati della scala VAS e SF-36, in cui le risposte erano simili al placebo. This multicentre, randomized, controlled study investigates the efficacy and safety of Tecar technology in three conditions: Achilles tendinitis (AT), trochanteric bursitis (TB) and temporomandibular syndrome (TMS). 66 patients were divided into a placebo and a treated group and were assessed with the VAS scale, the SF-36 questionnaire and a patient / observer observation scale, before and after the 1-month treatment period. The high compliance to the therapy and the absence of undesirable effects are to be stressed. In Tecartherapy treated patients. the subjective impression of improvement was very strong in the case of TB and AT. However, this did not correspond to the results of the VAS and SF-36 scales, in which the responses were similar to placebo.
Source: V. Poca Dias et al, Multicentre, randomised, controlled study of the efficacy and safety of treatment with
regenerative diathermy in Achilles tendinitis, trochanteric bursitis and temporomandibular syndrome, Clinical
Rheumatology, Vol. 5, Congress Special, May 2009
TECAR: Complementary treatments for TMJ disfunctions
Abstract Aim: our aim is to illustrate usefulness of Tecar therapy in the rehabilitation of sport-related articular diseases. Materials and Methods: the machine’s functioning principle aimed at pain reduction and at the fastest possible recovery of the normal articular function, is hereby presented. Consequently, all the procedures employed in the specific dysfunctional and flogistic situations (acute and chronic) are illustrated. Results: It is useful to employ Tecar therapy in different cases: patients with chronic extra-articular tensive muscle pathologies; patients who suffered an acute trauma and subsequent loss of the articular disc; patients suffering from cronic intra-articular disease and permanent loss of the articular disc. The patients considered had been already treated following the standard odontoiatric and fisiotherapic procedures (according to Rocabado’s methodology). Conclusion: JTM disfunctions’ pathology uses many different odontoiatric and auxiliary means. Tecar therapy can be utilized both in acute and chronic cases since its two specific programs are able to generate heat or work in a heat-proof environment.
Authors: Pietro Nannelli, Filippo Nannelli, Caterina Di Matteo, Alessandro L. Cerretti
Fonte: P. Nannelli et al, Tecar®: terapia complementare nelle disfunzioni dell'ATM, XXII Congresso Internazionale
SIDO 24-27 Novembre 2010, Fortezza da Basso, FI
Tecartherapy® in the diabetic foot
The treatment with Tecartherapy® gives relief to diabetic patients with cutaneous lesions of the foot, a common complication of this pathology in the most serious stages. In fact, the treatment is able to reduce pain, where present, and to accelerate wound healing.
Abstract The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the use of Tecartherapy® in the management of diabetic foot ulcers. 20 patients with neuroischemic ulcers, Wagner class II or III, were divided into two groups: group A was treated with Tecartherapy® and conventional local therapy and group B was treated with placebo Tecartherapy®, plus conventional local therapy. From the analysis of the collected data, we observed a marked improvement of the algic symptoms, when present, in the patients treated with Tecartherapy ®, in addition to a more rapid wound healing.
Source: E. Cavani et al, La Tecarterapia® nel piede diabetico, Vasculopatia diabetica, 2010