Title : Assessment of the therapeutic effect of physical modalities
Abstract:
The physical modalities (FM) hot, cold, natural magnet, water, sunlight, have been used by man empirically. In modern medicine, the emergence of physical therapy equipment is related to the development of technology.
Introduced into medicine as a form of treatment more than 200 years ago, they were still seen as quackery. The application was the patient's choice and other branches of medicine looked down on doctors and physiotherapists. The purpose of our presentation is to outline the guidelines for a standard presentation of the treatment effect of a physical modality.
Material and method: For material, we used an analysis of papers that used the application of FM in the last 20 years, in terms of type of source, applicator, daily, weekly and batch dosage, inclusion and exclusion criteria for treatment. Another principle of analysis was how the effect of the treatment on the patient was assessed.
Results: When applying any device and physical agent action, we should be guided by pre-standardized instructions from the manufacturer of the device. The effect of the treatment needs to be measurably shown in relation to before and after the treatment. The most commonly used methods are: 1) measurement of pain 2) measurement of joint mobility, 3) measurement of swelling, effusion, tissue defect, bone mass, 4) application of a specific questionnaire or functional test. Standard patient groupings by sex, age and disease are represented as well.
Discussion: papers published online are helpful in creating the research protocol. Until 20 years ago such research was hard to find and there were many papers from other specialties denying the effects of FM, even calling it quackery.
Conclusion: FM is applied as a non-drug therapy as a state-of-the-art method, but the place in the health system must be earned, respecting medical ethics.
