Changes in stiffness following short- and long-term application of standard physiotherapeutic techniques.

A computer-controlled MCP joint arthrograph was developed to measure the stiffness of finger joints objectively. This was used to study the short-term (one application) and long-term (multiple applications over 6 weeks) effects of several physiotherapeutic methods on the reduction in joint stiffness. The techniques used were hot wax baths, pulsed ultrasound alone, wax baths plus pulsed ultrasound and exercise. In the short-term (i.e. after each application) wax plus ultrasound produced a statistically significant reduction in elastic torque range (P < 0.01) and dissipated energy (P < 0.05). However, the reductions in these stiffness parameters were temporary. Long-term no significant reductions in stiffness were measured. In other words, stiffness was reduced by each therapy session, but it then increased again before the next session. Wax, ultrasound alone or exercise produced no short- or long-term effects.