Local Heat Applications as a Treatment of Physical and Functional Parameters in Acute and Chronic Musculoskeletal Disorders or Pain

Ron Clijsen; Rahel Stoop; Erich Hohenauer; Dirk Aerenhouts; Peter Clarys; Carlina Deflorin; Jan Taeymans

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2021.06.015

Local Heat Applications as a Treatment of Physical and Functional Parameters in Acute and Chronic Musculoskeletal Disorders or Pain

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2022 Mar;103(3):505-522. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2021.06.015. Epub 2021 Jul 18.

Authors

Ron Clijsen¹, Rahel Stoop², Erich Hohenauer³, Dirk Aerenhouts⁴, Peter Clarys⁴, Carlina Deflorin², Jan Taeymans⁵

Affiliations

¹ Rehabilitation Research Laboratory 2rLab, Rehabilitation and Exercise Science Group, Department of Business Economics, Health, and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Landquart/Manno, Switzerland; International University of Applied Sciences THIM, Landquart, Switzerland; Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Health, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Berne, Switzerland. Electronic address: ron.clijsen@supsi.ch.
² Rehabilitation Research Laboratory 2rLab, Rehabilitation and Exercise Science Group, Department of Business Economics, Health, and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Landquart/Manno, Switzerland.
³ Rehabilitation Research Laboratory 2rLab, Rehabilitation and Exercise Science Group, Department of Business Economics, Health, and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Landquart/Manno, Switzerland; International University of Applied Sciences THIM, Landquart, Switzerland; School of Sport, Health, and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
⁴ Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Department of Movement and Sport Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
⁵ Department of Health, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Berne, Switzerland.

PMID: 34283996
DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2021.06.015

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of local heat applications (LHAs) in individuals with acute or chronic musculoskeletal disorders.

Data sources: An electronic search was conducted on MEDLINE, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, Current Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Physiotherapy Evidence databases up to December 2019.

Study selection: Studies incorporating adults with any kind of musculoskeletal issues treated by LHA compared with any treatment other than heat were included.

Data extraction: Two authors independently performed the methodological quality assessment using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool.

Data synthesis: LHA showed beneficial immediate effects to reduce pain vs no treatment (P<.001), standard therapy (P=.020), pharmacologic therapy (P<.001), and placebo/sham (P=.044). Physical function was restored after LHA compared with no treatment (P=.025) and standard therapy (P=.006), whereas disability improved directly after LHA compared with pharmacologic therapy (P=.003) and placebo/sham (P<.028). Quality of life was improved directly after LHA treatment compared with exercise therapy (P<.021). Range of motion increased and stiffness decreased after LHA treatment compared with pharmacologic therapy (P=.009, P<.001) and placebo/sham (P<.001, P=.023). The immediate superior effects of LHA on muscular strength could be observed compared with no treatment (P<.001), cold (P<.001), and placebo/sham (P=.023).

Conclusions: Individuals with acute musculoskeletal disorders might benefit from using LHA as an adjunct therapy. However, the studies included in this meta-analysis demonstrated a high heterogeneity and mostly an unclear risk of bias.

Keywords: Hot temperature; Meta-analysis; Musculoskeletal diseases; Pain; Physical therapy modalities; Quality of life; Rehabilitation; Review.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Exercise Therapy
Hot Temperature
Humans
Hyperthermia, Induced*
Musculoskeletal Diseases* / therapy
Pain
Quality of Life