Tau-U Analysis Demonstrated the Effect of the Therapeutic Use of Ultrasound on Shoulder Range of Motion in Flexion: A Case Study

• Published in: Asian Journal of Occupational Therapy 2022, Vol.18(1), pp.195-198
• Main Authors: Horikawa, Yoichiro, Yuri, Takuma, Ueda, Masaya, Nagata, Yuma, Noda, Atsuko, Naito, Yasuo
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; jpn
• Subjects: single-case experimental design; Tau-U; ultrasound
• ISSN: 1347-3476; 1347-3484
• DOI: 10.11596/asiajot.18.195

Introduction: Ultrasound (US) has been used to improve range of motion; however, there is no consensus on its therapeutic effects. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of US in combination with exercise and mobilization on range of motion based on a single-case design.Methods: The patient was a 40-year-old man who had a fracture of the greater tuberosity of the right humerus and presented with limited shoulder range of motion in flexion postoperatively. In addition to standard treatment (exercise and mobilization), US was performed as an additional intervention. The therapeutic effect of US was examined using Tau-U. Results: The range of motion of the shoulder flexion significantly increased in the period when standard treatment and US were combined compared to that in the period when only standard treatment was administered (p < 0.001). The effect size was high (tau-U = 0.758).Conclusion: The use of US improved shoulder range of motion during flexion. The Tau-U analysis can be useful to indicate the effect of intervention in a single-case design.