Electrotherapy usage trends in private physiotherapy practice in Alberta

Electrotherapy is a common treatment intervention administered by physiotherapists. Owing to a lack of scientific reporting of modality usage, particularly within Canada, it was the purpose of this study to survey all private practitioners registered within the Province of Alberta. A total of 208 clinicians representing 41% of the population sample, responded to the survey. Results indicated hot packs followed by ultrasound, ice, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential were the most frequently used modalities. With the exception of ultrasound, these findings differed considerably from previous reports of modality usage. Statistical comparisons, using Fisher's exact test of independence, revealed frequent use of TENS was greater amongst older clinicians and clinic owners (p < 0.05) while male therapists used biofeedback more often than female colleagues (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between therapists trained at the University of Alberta and those educated elsewhere. Peer influence within the geographically and politically defined sample population may explain the relatively few between-group differences. Future research should target additional population samples plus continue to monitor trends within previously studied groups.