Review on experimental study and clinical application of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in inflammation

Maosheng Xu; Liang Wang; Senmin Wu; Yanyan Dong; Xiu Chen; Shijia Wang; Xiuyun Li; Chunpeng Zou

doi:10.21037/qims-20-680

Review on experimental study and clinical application of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in inflammation

Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2021 Jan;11(1):443-462. doi: 10.21037/qims-20-680.

Authors

Maosheng Xu¹, Liang Wang¹, Senmin Wu¹, Yanyan Dong¹, Xiu Chen¹, Shijia Wang¹, Xiuyun Li¹, Chunpeng Zou¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Ultrasonography, The Second Affiliated Hospital, and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.

Abstract

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), as physical therapy, is widely used in both research and clinical settings. It induces multiple bioeffects, such as alleviating pain, promoting tissue repair, and shortening disease duration. LIPUS can also mediate inflammation. This paper reviews the application of LIPUS in inflammation and discusses the underlying mechanism. In basic experiments, LIPUS can regulate inflammatory responses at the cellular level by affecting some signaling pathways. In a clinical trial, LIPUS has been shown to alleviate inflammatory responses efficiently. As a cheap, safe, and convenient physical method, LIPUS is promising as anti-inflammatory therapy.

Keywords: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS); inflammation; signaling pathway; therapeutic ultrasound.

Publication types

Review