RESUMEN
Electrotherapy is a common treatment intervention administered by physiotherapists. Owing to a lack of scientific reporting of modality usage, particularly within Canada, it was the purpose of this study to survey all private practitioners registered within the Province of Alberta. A total of 208 clinicians representing 41% of the population sample, responded to the survey. Results indicated hot packs followed by ultrasound, ice, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential were the most frequently used modalities. With the exception of ultrasound, these findings differed considerably from previous reports of modality usage. Statistical comparisons, using Fisher's exact test of independence, revealed frequent use of TENS was greater amongst older clinicians and clinic owners (p < 0.05) while male therapists used biofeedback more often than female colleagues (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between therapists trained at the University of Alberta and those educated elsewhere. Peer influence within the geographically and politically defined sample population may explain the relatively few between-group differences. Future research should target additional population samples plus continue to monitor trends within previously studied groups.
Asunto(s)
Terapia por Estimulación Eléctrica/estadística & datos numéricos , Modalidades de Fisioterapia/estadística & datos numéricos , Práctica Privada/estadística & datos numéricos , Alberta , Recolección de Datos , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Modalidades de Fisioterapia/tendencias , Práctica Privada/tendenciasRESUMEN
This study aimed to examine ownership and usage frequencies of electrotherapeutic modalities typically found in private physiotherapy practices in Brisbane. The survey included 73 practices, representing 70 per cent of the selected sample. Results revealed that ultrasound units were used more "frequently" than any other modality. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and interferential units were also used extensively. Short-wave diathermy units were found in more clinics than any other heating modality. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was the only modality to demonstrate a significant difference [p< 0:05) in "Frequent" usage between practitioners aged under 31 and those 31 and older. Overall, the majority of respondents (77.5 per cent) trained at the University of Queensland, a fact which may have influenced the identified trends.