Effects of iontophoresis and phonophoresis methods on pain in cases with shoulder periarthritis

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of iodex iontophoresis and iodex phonophoresis methods on pain release in shoulder periarthritis. Fourty five cases who had shoulder periarthritis were randomly divided into three equal groups (n = 15). Iodex iontophoresis method was applied to the first group and iodex phonophoresis was applied to the second group. Third group was selected as control group to which placebo was applied. Pre-treatment and post-treatment pain scores were assessed by visual analog scale. In the result of pain assessment, the difference between the pre-treatment and post-treatment of pain measurements within groups was more significant in iontophoresis and phonophoresis groups than in the placebo group (p < 0.05). The results of this study indicate that iodex iontophoresis and phonophoresis methods were effective in decreasing pain. It can be concluded that application of iodex iontophoresis and phonophoresis would be alternative methods in addition to the other analgesic physiotherapy methods.