title: [The use of medical equipment in medical rehabilitation: evidence and therapeutic aspects of security].
abstract: Electro-medical equipment is widely used in order to treat bony and muscular disorders and some neurological disease in rehabilitation. However, the scientific evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of this equipment is meagre and contradictory. We have studied the subject, taking into account current regulations for the management and use of this electro-medical equipment. Following the criteria for Evidence Based Medicine, we have analysed the international literature so as to evaluate the evidence for physical energy in different clinical applications. Because the vast quantity of publications dealing with this material, priority was given to peer-reviewed articles and randomised trials. The publications were divided into categories according to disorder, so as to illustrate how some may provide positive proof whereas others require further study.
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa di Medicina Fisica e Riabilitazione--Azienda Policlinico Umberto I Roma, Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza. marialuisasgalambro@libero.it
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Sgalambro
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nataletti
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ioppolo
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bernetti
authors.forename: Valter
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Santilli
mesh_terms: D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000592:standards; D012107:Research Design; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000592:standards; D016896:Treatment Outcome