The immediate effect of harmonic therapy on peripheral blood flow in young males: A cross-over pilot study

Abstract

Background: There is limited evidence in the literature regarding the effects of harmonic therapy on peripheral blood circulation. Objective: This pilot study aims to examine the immediate effect of passive and active assistive harmonic therapy on peripheral blood flow volume in healthy young males. Design: Cross-over pilot study using quantitative data. Setting: This study was conducted in a university hospital. Methods: Three different interventions (passive range of motion exercise, active assistive harmonic therapy, and passive harmonic therapy) were applied to participants' dominant upper extremity shoulder joint. Interventions were performed only 1 session and 10 min at one-week intervals. Primary outcome measures: Superficial palmar branch of the radial artery blood flow volume was evaluated with color Doppler ultrasound before and immediately after the intervention. Participants: Fifteen young males (mean age:22.13 +/- 1.68 years, range:20-25) participated in the study. Results: Blood flow volume significantly increased with active assistive harmonic therapy (p = 0.001, d = 1.10) and passive harmonic therapy (p < 0.001, d = 1.44)) interventions. There was no change in blood flow volume with passive range of motion intervention (p = 0.28, d = 0.29). Active assistive harmonic therapy and passive harmonic therapy intervention significantly increased blood flow volume compared to passive range of motion intervention (p = 0.001, eta 2 = 0.28). Conclusions: Both active assistive and passive harmonic therapy interventions produced an immediate increase in blood flow volume however, the clinical importance of these findings requires further investigation.