Influence of Therapeutic Ultrasonic Irradiation on Blood Flow in Human Cutaneous, Subcutaneous, and Muscular Tissues

Abstract

The influence of therapeutic ultrasonation on blood flow in cutaneous, subcutaneous, and muscular tissues of normal subjects was investigated by means of local ¹³³Xenon washout techniques. In cutaneous tissue the administered intensities did not change blood flow significantly. Correlation between given dose and blood flow or change in skin temperature could not be demonstrated. In subcutaneous and muscular tissues inconsistent and insignificant blood flow changes were recorded. In these tissues, too, no correlation between skin temperature, blood flow, and dose of ultrasonation was found. It appears as if the eventual beneficial effects of therapeutic ultrasonation cannot be ascribed to augmentation of blood flow in cutaneous, subcutaneous, or muscular tissues.

Key Words:

• Adipose tissue blood flow
• cutaneous blood flow
• epicutaneous labelling with ¹³³Xenon
• local washout of ¹³³Xenon
• muscle blood flow
• ultrasonic therapy