Perception of Physiotherapists about the Effectiveness of Therapeutic Ultrasound

Objective: To determine the perception of physiotherapists about the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound as a treatment modality. Study design: descriptive cross-sectional study. Period 6 months after the approval of synopsis from June 2017 to November 2017. Material & Method: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among the physiotherapists working in the clinical practice, 25-60 years of age of both genders. Questionnaire employing of both open and closed ended questions. Questions were asked regarding the usage, their knowledge of appropriate dosages and their perception of its effectiveness for various conditions. Perception was evaluated using Visual analogue Scale. Results: One hundred and twenty questionnaires were completed and returned a response rate of 87.5%. Physiotherapists perceived ultrasound to be effective in acute tendinitis, acute bursitis and chronic muscle strain. Respondents believe that therapeutic ultrasound become more effective when used in conjunction with other techniques at appropriate dosages, However, the placebo qualities of ultrasound were not perceived to be effective by most of the physiotherapists. Conclusion: Therapeutic ultrasound is perceived to be most commonly used electro physical agent among the physiotherapists. The findings suggest that ultrasound was thought to be as an effective treatment tool when applied appropriately. The results of this study will be useful for the clinicians however, further experimental studies investigating ultrasound efficacy are indicated.