Action of ultrasound therapy in altering motor nerve conduction velocity of ulnar nerve

Abstract

Ultrasound therapy is one of the commonest and most popular modality used for tissue healing, pain reduction, tissue extensibility and in inflammationby physiotherapists all around the globe.Various sensitivity tests on peripheral nerves are done with ultrasound therapy, yet conclusions are still skeptical, which makes it inconclusive in progressing the modality further into management of nerve disorders. This study aimed to analyze efficiency of therapeutic ultrasound in influencing ulnar nerve conduction velocity. To Analyze the effect of ultrasound therapy in altering motor nerve conduction velocity of ulnar nerve with two therapeutic frequencies. 40 healthy individuals were included according to the selection criteria and they were explained about safety and simplicity of procedure and informed consent was obtained. All the participants were randomly assigned into two groups as 20 in each group. Group-A was given ultrasound therapy at specific site of elbow to target the ulnar nerve with 1MHz frequency and Group–B followed the same procedure with 3MHz frequency. Pre and Post to ultrasound therapy applicationMotor Nerve Conduction Velocity (MNCV) of ulnar nerve were recorded for both the groups. The posttest mean of MNCV for forearm segment and arm segment for Group A and Group B showed statistically significant difference (P Value <0.001).The analysis done by the statistical data also revealed that the MNCV at forearm segment showed an increase in velocity compared to its pretest values, whereas the post MNCV values at arm component showed a decrease in velocity when compared to its pretest values. Among comparison the data within the groups it is evident that group A with 1 MHz of ultrasound sonification is more capable of altering the MNCV values in comparison with the 3MHz. frequency. Findings of this study conclude that ultrasound therapy can be used effectively in altering conduction velocity of a nerve and it has a potential ability to facilitate or inhibit a nerve physiological function.