Author and graduation date: Paul Eric GABRIELSON, December, 1997

Committee members: Denise Wiksten (Chair), Robert Moore, Paul Kolen

Thesis title: Effects of Pulsed Radio Frequency Therapy on Acute Ankle Swelling

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of non-thermal pulse radio frequency (PRF) therapy on edema associated with acute ankle sprains. This double-blind prospectus was part of a larger multi-site study, Fifty volunteer subjects with grade I or Il acute lateral ankle sprains were recruited from the general population and were given monetary incentives for their participation and completion of the three day study. Subjects were required to meet exclusion and inclusion criteria prior to beginning treatments. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups (control and experiment) and treated on two consecutive days with a 30-minute treatment of either PRF therapy (experiment) or a placebo (control). Measurements for swelling using water displacement were taken before and after each treatment session and then again 24 hours after the second treatment. Standardized treatment of the injury including ice, compression. elevation, and rest continued throughout the duration of the study. A 2 x 2 repeated measures ANOVA used for the first day pretreatment measurement and the third day measurement showed no statistically significant change between (F(1,44) = .323, p = 0.573) or within groups (F(1,44) = .001, P 0.969). To document any change during the treatment sessions, a 20 repeated measures ANOVA was produced to determine changes within and between groups for the three post treatment measurements. No statistically significant differences were shown within (F(1,88) = 1.134, p = 0.326) or between groups (F(1,88) = .109, p = 0.897). All tests were: run with a 95 percent level of confidence. This study was unable to show any beneficial effects of PRF therapy on the reduction of swelling in grade I and II ankle sprains.

Further research is needed to more accurately assess the effects of PRF therapy. It is recommended that a stricter classification of injury severity be used, better control of subject activity and standardized home treatments be incorporated, and the recruiting of a larger sample size.

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