Relative Transmission of Ultrasound by Media Customarily Used for Phonophoresis

TLDR

The study aimed to quantify how well common phonophoresis media transmit ultrasound compared to ideal degassed water. Transmission was measured by applying a thin layer of each medium to a therapeutic ultrasound transducer and recording power output with a meter. Results grouped media into two categories: those transmitting over 80 % of water’s energy and those transmitting less than 40 %, with implications for selecting media that enhance phonophoresis efficacy.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative transmission of ultrasound by the media commonly used by physical therapists to apply phonophoresis. The relative transmission of ultrasound energy through various phonophoresis media was compared with that of degassed water, which is the ideal standard. Transmission was assessed by placing a thin layer of the test medium on the transducer of a therapeutic ultrasound unit and measuring delivery of ultrasound with an ultrasound power meter. The media evaluated produced two significantly different groups of transmission results: (1) transmission greater than 80% of that of water and (2) transmission less than 40% of that of water. Media that optimize the therapeutic efficacy of phonophoresis in both clinical and experimental settings are discussed.