Impacto térmico e transmissão da luz de diferentes potências de saída de um dispositivo de fototerapia na região do tendão do calcâneo em humanos

Abstract

Phototherapy has been used as a therapeutic resource for several clinical conditions. few study light penetration in situ, but in vitro and with immediate penetration measurements. Therefore, this study aims to compare the thermal impact and energy transmission of three powers of a phototherapy device on the human Achilles tendon in situ. For this purpose, a randomized study was carried out, in which 20 healthy volunteers of both sexes were recruited. The study was carried out with the tendon in a relaxed condition. In the test, the collections were carried out with the volunteer lying down, the Achilles tendons (right and left) marked at their midpoint and previously the acquisition of ultrasound images was carried out to measure the experience of the skin, tendon, skin, and the thermal sensation ( pain/discomfort) of the volunteers were also evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Afterwards, they accepted phototherapy with the following irradiations: Placebo (9 J for 150 seconds), Protocol A (661.50 J for 225 seconds), Protocol B (661.50 J for 135 seconds) and Protocol C (661.50 J for 135 seconds). J for 90 seconds). Application was by sweeping with continuous movement of the emitter along the tendon. The skin-to-skin penetrating energy was measured using an optical power meter on the medial aspect of the ankle, after the irradiation protocol. The right and left Achilles tendons of the volunteers were irradiated sequentially, and the order of irradiations occurred according to the randomization. The measurements of the thermal impact, as well as the evaluation of the thermal sensation (VAS), were performed before (baseline) and immediately after the irradiations. The difficult results that protocol A transmitted less energy (p<0.05) in relation to the other active protocols (B and C). Regarding the change in skin temperature, all active protocols showed an increase in temperature compared to D (p<0.0001), and during the application of protocol C the temperature rise was greater. With regard to thermal discomfort, protocol C showed a difference (p<0.01) promoting greater discomfort than active protocols (A and B). In conclusion, the average output power of the device used had a direct impact on the amount of energy delivered and, on the temperature, rise in the radiated region. Protocols with higher powers transmit more energy, but also resulted in a significant increase in temperature and thermal discomfort for the patient.