A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 'BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation' indicated that in people having musculoskeletal injuries, sustained acoustic medicine remarkably attenuates musculoskeletal pain, improves joint function, and enhances mobility leading to an improved quality of life and return to everyday activities.

Investigators undertook this study to summarize the effect and safety of sustained acoustic medicine therapy on pain mitigation, musculoskeletal injuries including tissue heating, quality of life, functional outcomes (range of motion, strength).

For identifying relevant studies, a systematic literature review was carried out using Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCOhost, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Academic Search Complete. On the basis of inclusion criteria, selection of articles was done followed by scoring on the Downs and Black checklist. The primary findings, study design, and clinical outcomes were extracted from the incorporated studies.

Overall, 372 volunteers were incorporated in 13 clinical research studies reviewed (five level I, four level II and four level IV studies). It included 156 volunteers having knee pain (moderate to severe) and knee osteoarthritis, 67 volunteers having neck and back myofascial pain and injury, and 149 volunteers having a generalized soft-tissue injury of ankle, elbow, back, and shoulder having restricted functioning.

The endpoints ascertained were alteration in the global rate of change, pain reduction, and alteration in Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Questionnaire. The functional outcome measures included range-of-motion, dynamometry, grip strength, and diathermic heating (measurement of temperature).

In people who failed to show adequate response to physical therapy, sustained acoustic medicine appeared to be a valuable adjunct for facilitating healing and return to work. Thus, sustained acoustic medicine, a non-invasive and non-narcotic therapeutic choice with a good safety profile, can be considered a good therapeutic option for the management of musculoskeletal injuries.