Effects of Ultrasound Therapy in Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascıoglu Education and Research Hospital Organization75 enrolled

Overview

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of ultrasound (US) therapy, administered in different modes, on pain, functionality, quality of life and iliotibial band (ITB) thickness in patients with iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS). The primary question of the study is: Is US therapy effective in reducing pain and improving functionality in ITBS? The secondary question is: Is US therapy effective in ITBS in terms of quality of life and ITB thickness? 75 participants were assigned to the exercise, exercise plus continuous US and exercise plus intermittent US groups and received 15 treatment sessions. Participants were assessed before treatment, at the end of treatment (after 15 sessions) and at 3 months post-treatment.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ultrasound (US) therapy, administered in different modes, on pain, functionality and iliotibial band (ITB) thickness in patients with iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS). Seventy-five volunteers presenting at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic with lateral knee pain and thigh pain were included in the study. Patients aged between 45 and 60 years who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and had been diagnosed with ITBS were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into three groups and received 15 treatment sessions. Group 1 received exercise only, Group 2 received exercise plus continuous ultrasound, and Group 3 received exercise plus intermittent ultrasound treatment. Patients' pain scores were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), lower limb functionality using the Lower Limb Functionality Scale (LEFS), and quality of life using the Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaire before treatment, after treatment, and at the 3-month post-treatment mark. In patients diagnosed with ITBS,ITB thickness was measured ultrasonographically at the attachment point of the lateral femoral epicondyle in the lateral lying position with the knee flexed at 20-30 degrees.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 45 YearsMax age: 60 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: - Aged between 45 and 60 years -Patients diagnosed with ITBS using ITB trigger point palpation and the Noble compression test -Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score ≥50 mm Exclusion Criteria: * History of lower limb surgery within the last six month- Body weight exceeding 120 kg- History of malignancy-Severe coxarthrosis-Severe osteoporosis-Stage 4 gonarthrosis-Lower limb surgey in the last 6 months-History of any neurological, vascular or infectious disease

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

VAS and LEFS

Pain intensity was assessed using the VAS. Patients were asked to mark their pain levels on a straight line ranging from 0 to 10 cm; 0 denoted no pain, whilst 10 denoted severe pain.Lower limb functional status was assessed using the LEFS scale. The scale, consisting of a total of 20 items, was scored according to five numerical response categories ranging from 0 (extreme difficulty/unable to perform the activity) to 4 (no difficulty). The total score was assessed on a scale of 0 to 80. Higher scores were associated with better functional status

Time frame: Before treatment, at the end of treatment (after 15 sessions) , and 3 months after treatment.

Secondary Outcomes

SF-12 and ITB thickness

General physical and mental health status was assessed using the Short Form-12 (SF-12), a 12-item version of the SF-36. Higher scores were associated with a better quality of life. The thickness of the ITB was assessed using an USG scanner.