Effectiveness of Physical Therapy Modalities: A Quantitative and Qualitative Review

Physical therapy modalities are passive tools that are used in physical therapy clinics, beside the exercise program and manual therapy, that promote blood flow, decrease inflammation, and improve range of motion and function. Electrical stimulation, ultrasound, ice, and heat were analyzed in this review. The purpose of this quantitative review is to use the research that has been conducted over the past 30 years to determine if physical therapy modalities are effective at decreasing inflammation, increasing range of motion and function, decreasing pain, and to draw a conclusion about whether or not they should still be used on patients today. Systematic reviews and meta analysis were analyzed and compared to qualitative surveys and patient/therapist surveys conducted in this study to determine if ultrasound, electrical stimulation, ice, and heat were effective. The results showed that both electrical stimulation and ultrasound were effective for decreasing pain, increasing functionality, and decreasing inflammation (Ashrafi, 2017; Bistolfi, 2018; Ferronato, 2017; Fuentes, 2010; Haile, 2021; Yu, 2015). However, the types of injuries, frequency, and duration of the modalities used still need to be further researched to understand how to maximize the effectiveness of these modalities. Ice therapy was significantly effective at decreasing inflammation, while heat therapy was significantly effective at decreasing pain, both in the short term (Wang et al., 2021).