Physical Agent Modalities Practice Exam

Which is a thermal modality used to decrease tissue temperature?

Cryotherapy Infrared Modalities Therapeutic Ultrasound Shortwave And Microwave Diathermy

Correct Answer:

Cryotherapy

Explanation:

Cooling tissue is achieved with cryotherapy. This modality uses cold applications such as ice packs, cold sprays, cold packs, or cold water immersion to lower tissue temperature. By reducing temperature, it slows cellular metabolism, constricts blood vessels, decreases edema, dampens inflammatory responses, and slows nerve conduction to help control pain. In contrast, infrared modalities deliver radiant heat and raise superficial tissue temperature, while therapeutic ultrasound can heat deeper tissues depending on the settings (or may have non-thermal effects), and shortwave/microwave diathermy also increases tissue temperature. So the option that lowers temperature is cryotherapy.

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