Electrotherapy Treatments Performed in the Area of the Throat and Larynx and the Level of TSH, FT3 and FT4 Hormones: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Electrotherapy Treatments Performed in the Area of the Throat and Larynx and the Level of TSH, FT3 and FT4 Hormones: A Randomized Controlled Trial | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Electrotherapy Treatments Performed in the Area of the Throat and Larynx and the Level of TSH, FT 3 and FT 4 Hormones: A Randomized Controlled Trial Jolanta Zwolińska, Barbara Augustyn, Katarzyna Baj, Jadwiga Krukowska This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-362424/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 02 Aug, 2021 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted 8 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract No current studies are available on application and side effects of potassium iodide iontophoresis. This study assessed the potassium iodide iontophoresis effect in the throat and larynx area on TSH, FT3 and FT4 hormone levels. Double-blinded randomized controlled trial with 1:1 parallel-group was conducted at the University of Rzeszow, Poland. A total of 50 healthy volunteers with normal TSH, FT3, FT4 levels without focal changes in the thyroid ultrasonography were subjected to 10 electrotherapy treatments (galvanization and iontophoresis groups). TSH, FT3, FT4 levels were determined before 10 treatments (test 1), 2 weeks after their completion (test 2) and after 6 months (test 3). In tests 2 and 3, both groups had normal levels of TSH, FT3, and FT4. No statistically significant differences between the galvanization and iontophoresis groups were found in terms of change of TSH, FT3, FT4 levels between tests 1 vs. 2 and 1 vs. 3. Both groups had lower levels of all measured parameters in test 3. Potassium iodide iontophoresis does not affect thyroid hormone levels in the short and long term. It is advisable to continue the follow-up study with larger groups to confirm the safety of electrotherapy procedures in the pharynx and larynx area. Endocrinology & Metabolism Medical Genetics Health Policy Electrotherapy potassium iodide iontophoresis electrotherapy Figures Figure 1 Introduction Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones: triiodothyronine (T 3 ) and thyroxine (T 4 ), which are essential for the proper functioning of the body. These hormones play an important role in metabolism, growth and maturation of various organs and systems, especially the nervous system [1,2]. According to the recommendations of WHO and IOM (The United States Institute of Medicine), the daily intake of iodine for adults should be 150 μg [2-4]. Both low and high iodine intake are associated with an increased risk of thyroid disease, and optimized iodine intake is an important to prevent thyroid diseases [3,5,6]. In order to assess the thyroid functioning, it is recommended to measure the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secreted by the pituitary gland and the free triiodothyronine (FT 3 ) and free thyroxine (FT 4 ) in the blood [7-10]. Medical reference books enumerate various indications for the use of physiotherapeutic procedures in the throat and larynx conditions [11-14]. However, these recommendations are not appropriately grounded in scientific studies and literature available in the databases. The most common throat and larynx conditions in which physical therapy is ordered include paralysis of the vocal cords of the larynx, chronic pharyngitis and laryngitis, dysphonia, vocal cord nodules. Patients are most often referred for physical therapy treatments in the area of the pharynx and larynx by medical specialists in the field of otolaryngology and phoniatrics [15]. Potassium iodide (KI) iontophoresis is used in the therapy of throat and larynx conditions, arthritis, arthrosis, scar contractures and hypertrophic scars [15-18]. The application of KI iontophoresis allows to reduce antibiotic therapy, which is of great importance in the case of its excessive use [19-21]. There are no reports in the literature on the possible side effects of KI iontophoresis in the pharynx and larynx area. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of KI iontophoresis procedures performed in the pharynx and larynx area on the level of TSH, FT 3 and FT 4 hormones. Results Flow of participants At baseline, the randomization process yielded no major differences between the groups G and I regarding age (P = 0.6234), gender (P = 0.3818), body mass index (P = 0.2724). Short-term effects of electrotherapy (n = 50) One person from group G demonstrated a significant decrease in TSH level (0.101 µIU / ml) in test 2 while a significant increase in this value (11.6 µIU / ml) in test 3 was observed. This person was excluded from further analysis. For the remaining participants from both groups, TSH, FT 3 and FT 4 levels were within the normal range. There were no statistically significant differences between groups G and I in TSH level in test 1 and test 2, as well as changes in TSH levels recorded in the period (1–2) (Table 1 ). Table 1 Changes in TSH levels in the study groups over the period (1–2) TSH [µIU/ml] Type of therapy galvanization iontophoresis Mean (95% c.i.) Me s Mean (95% c.i.) Me s P Before electrotherapy 2.26 (1.84; 2.68) 2.03 1.01 2.28 (1.99; 2.57) 2.22 0.71 0.9493 After electrotherapy 1.96 (1.59; 2.32) 1.88 0.89 1.93 (1.61; 2.24) 1.75 0.77 0.8968 Therapy effect -0.31 (0.61;0.00) -0.22 0.74 -0.35 (-0.66;-0.04) -0.40 0.75 0.8278 P – test probability value calculated using the independent samples t-test. Decrease in TSH levels (group G: P = 0.0513, group I: P = 0.0281) was observed in individual groups. FT 3 level before electrotherapy was slightly higher in group G. There were no statistically significant differences between groups G and I in terms of changes in this parameter in the period (1–2) (Table 2 ). Table 2 Changes in FT3 levels in the studied groups in the period (1–2) FT 3 [pg/ml] Type of therapy Galvanization Iontophoresis Mean (95% c.i.) Me s Mean (95% c.i.) Me s P Before electrotherapy 3.43 (3.28; 3.59) 3.42 0.37 3.23 (3.03; 3.42) 3.36 0.47 0.0910 After electrotherapy 3.42 (3.20; 3.63) 3.38 0.52 3.37 (3.13; 3.60) 3.34 0.57 0.7611 Therapy effect -0.02 (-0.18;0.14) -0.06 0.39 0.14 (-0.06; 0.34) 0.11 0.48 0.2051 P – test probability value calculated using the independent samples t -test. No statistically significant changes were found in the FT 3 parameter in individual groups (group G: P = 0.8311, group I: P = 0.1521). No statistically significant differences were observed between groups G and I in terms of changes in FT 4 in the period (1–2) (Table 3 ). Table 3 Changes in FT 4 in the studied groups in the period (1–2) FT 4 [ng/dl] Type of therapy P Galvanization Iontophoresis Mean (95% c.i.) Me s Mean (95% c.i.) Me s Before electrotherapy 1.31 (1.25; 1.38) 1.31 0.16 1.29 (1.24; 1.33) 1.26 0.12 0.5124 After electrotherapy 1.31 (1.22; 1.39) 1.25 0.21 1.26 (1.21; 1.32) 1.29 0.14 0.3822 Therapy effect -0.01 (-0.07; 0.06) -0.03 0.16 -0.02 (-0.07; 0.02) 0.00 0.11 0.6473 P – test probability value calculated using the independent samples t -test. No statistically significant changes were found in the FT 4 parameter in the studied groups in period (1–2) (group G: P = 0.8710, group I: P = 0.3209). The direction of changes of the measured parameters was analyzed in individual cases in groups G and I (Table 4 ) Table 4 The number and percentage of people for whom the given parameter increased and decreased in the period (1–2) Grouped features Type of therapy Galvanization Iontophoresis Decrease Increase Decrease Increase N % N % N % N % P TSH [µIU/ml] (change) 15 60% 10 40% 18 72% 7 28% 0.3705 FT 3 [pg/ml] (change) 14 56% 11 44% 10 40% 15 60% 0.2575 FT 4 [ng/dl] (change) 14 56% 11 44% 12 48% 13 52% 0.5713 P – test probability value calculated using the chi-square test of independence. In group G, TSH decreased in 60% of people, and in group I in 72%. There were no statistically significant differences between G group and I group in terms of the effects of electrotherapy. The share of people with decreased TSH level was similar in both groups, which corresponded to the previous conclusion, with a similar level of changes expressed in the numerical form. Similar conclusions can be drawn for the parameters FT 3 and FT 4 . Long-term effects of electrotherapy (n = 36) In both groups, the TSH levels in test 3 were within the normal range. There were no statistically significant differences between groups G and I in TSH levels in three subsequent tests, as well as changes in TSH levels recorded in the periods: (1–2), (2–3) and (1–3) (Table 5 ). Table 5 Changes in TSH levels in the study groups in the period (1–2), (2–3) and (1–3) TSH [µIU/ml] Type of therapy Galvanization ( n = 21) Iontophoresis ( n = 15) Mean (95% c.i.) Me s Mean (95% c.i.) Me s P Before electrotherapy (1) 2.18 (1.72; 2.64) 1.79 1.01 2.42 (1.99; 2,86) 2,31 0,79 0.4515 After electrotherapy (2) 2.01 (1.65; 2.37) 1.91 0.79 1.95 (1.57; 2.33) 1.91 0.68 0.8238 6 months later (3) 1.64 (1.36; 1.92) 1.88 0.61 1.91 (1.46; 2.37) 1.79 0.82 0.2640 (1–2) -0.17 (-0.52; 0.18) 0.01 0.76 -0.47(-0.94;0.00) -0.54 0.85 0.2819 (2–3) -0.37 (-0.61; -0.12) -0.33 0.54 -0.04(-0.59;0.51) -0.33 0.99 0.2108 (1–3) -0.54 (-0.97; -0.12) -0.39 0.93 -0.51(-1.02;0.00) -0.31 0.92 0.9185 P – test probability value calculated using the independent samples t -test. In both groups in test 3 there was a significant decrease in TSH levels compared to the two previous measurements. In period (1–3), there was a significant change in group G (P = 0.0151), while in group I there was a decrease at the verge of statistical significance (P = 0.0502). Similar changes were found in the parameters FT 3 and FT 4 . There were no significant differences between groups G and I regarding changes in FT 3 (Table 6 ). Table 6 Changes in FT 3 levels in the study groups in the period (1–2), (2–3) and (1–3) FT 3 [pg/ml] Type of therapy Galvanization ( n = 21) Iontophoresis ( n = 15) Mean (95% c.i.) Me s Mean (95% c.i.) Me s P Before electrotherapy (1) 3.42 (3.25; 3.59) 3.42 0.37 3.29 (3.08; 3.51) 3.36 0.39 0.3306 After electrotherapy (2) 3.43 (3.19; 3.67) 3.38 0.53 3.40 (3.08; 3.72) 3.37 0.57 0.8675 6 months later (3) 3.14 (2.95; 3.33) 3.14 0.42 3.00 (2.80; 3.19) 3.03 0.35 0.2865 (1–2) 0.01 (-0.17; 0.20) -0.03 0.40 0.11 (-0.15; 0.37) 0.01 0.47 0.5220 (2–3) -0.29 (-0.56; -0.03) -0.23 0.58 -0.40 (-0.69; -0.12) -0.27 0.52 0.5562 (1–3) -0.28 (-0.45; -0.11) -0.27 0.37 -0.30 (-0.50; -0.09) -0.14 0.37 0.8891 P – test probability value calculated using the independent samples t -test. In both groups there were significant differences between the results of test 3 and two previous tests. There was a significant decrease in FT 3 value in period (2–3) (group G: P = 0.0325, group I: P = 0.0095) and in period 1–3 (group G: P = 0.0024, group I: P = 0.0074). There were also no significant differences between groups G and I with regard to FT 4 parameter change (Table 7 ). Table 7 Changes in FT 4 levels in the study groups in the period (1–2), (2–3) and (1–3) FT 4 [ng/dl] Type of therapy Galvanization ( n = 21) Iontophoresis ( n = 15) Mean (95% c.i.) Me s Mean (95% c.i.) Me s P Before electrotherapy (1) 1.31 (1.24; 1.39) 1.31 0.16 1.28 (1.24; 1.33) 1.26 0.09 0.5584 After electrotherapy (2) 1.31 (1.21; 1.41) 1.25 0.22 1.26 (1.19; 1.33) 1.25 0.12 0.4002 6 months later (3) 1.22 (1.15; 1.28) 1.20 0.14 1.16 (1.10; 1.23) 1.15 0.12 0.2136 (1–2) 0.00 (-0.08; 0.08) -0.03 0.17 -0.03 (-0.10; 0.04) -0.04 0.12 0.6279 (2–3) -0.09 (-0.20; 0.01) -0.06 0.23 -0.10 (-0.19; 0.00) -0.08 0.18 0.9616 (1–3) -0.09 (-0.16; -0.02) -0.07 0.16 -0.12 (-0.19; -0.05) -0.13 0.12 0.5553 P – test probability value calculated using the independent samples t-test. In period 1–3 there was a significant decrease in FT 4 values in the G group (P = 0.0123) and in I group (P = 0.0016). Discussion The bibliographic databases contain a few original works on application and possible side effects of galvanization or potassium iodide iontophoresis on the pharynx and larynx area. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of transdermal iodine application on the levels of TSH, FT 3 , FT 4 . The amount of iodine that should penetrate the tissues during iontophoresis was calculated on the basis of Faraday's first law of electrolysis, assuming that the entire current is made up of only the ions of the drug substance [ 22 ]. If numerous competing ions, including parasitic ones, are present in the pads used for the treatment during the iontophoresis, the amount of the basic drug substance penetrating the tissues is reduced. Puttemans et al. (1982) confirmed the penetration of KI into the tissue using galvanic current. The authors estimate that about 10% of the KI used for iontophoresis has penetrated deep into the tissues in the transdermal administration. After a series of 10 iontophoresis treatments with KI, the mean concentration of iodine in the thyroid gland increased by about 30% [ 23 ]. The acceptable upper level of the daily iodine supply is 1100 µg, although the higher intake is usually well tolerated [ 2 ]. Ingestion of KI provides a safe protection against irradiation of the thyroid gland after exposure to radioactive iodine [ 24 , 25 ]. Verger et al. review shows that the daily consumption of a dose of 15 mg KI effectively protects the thyroid gland at the level of over 90% [ 24 ]. According to Zanzonico & Becker, the blockage of the thyroid gland by oral KI in a dose of 50–100 mg may effectively reduce the thyroid radiation [ 25 ]. In the study by Bacher et al., 100 mg of KI daily was used to prevent radiation of the thyroid gland [ 26 ]. In our study, 200 mg of KI was used for a single iontophoresis treatment. From Faraday's law I of electrolysis, it results that during one iontophoresis treatment less than 6.1927461 mg of KI was introduced into the tissues. Our calculation is based on the assumption that it is impossible to eliminate all competing ions in the electric field created between the treatment electrodes. The changes in hormone levels observed by us may indicate that the iodine dose used had no effect on the levels of TSH, FT 3 and FT 4 hormones. During iontophoresis, the thyroid gland is also influenced by direct, galvanic current. The biological effect of electric fields is still the subject of much research. The flow of current can affect all tissues and organs [ 27 ]. Living cells can be induced to migrate by applying a small dose of direct current (galvanotaxis) [ 28 ]. The human body as an element of an electrical circuit has the character of an anisotropic conductor. During the flow of current, thermal energy is released and the tissues are hyperemic [ 18 , 29 ]. According to the Joule-Lenz’s law, the amount of heat released is directly proportional to the square of the current intensity, its flow time and tissue resistance [ 29 ]. The electric current causes depolarization of the cell membrane of excitable cells [ 27 ]. It also influences the pH of the tissues. The electrochemical changes around the negative electrode (the alkaline environment produced by OH- ions) are more severe compared to the changes around the positive electrode (the acidic environment produced by H + ions) [ 30 ]. In our study, the heat generated and electrochemical changes were minor and did not pose a threat to the study participants subjected to the experiment. We used a current of 2 mA, which corresponds to the perception threshold for direct current. This value is about 1.5 mA for women and about 2.5 mA for men [ 27 , 29 ]. Gierlotka (2006) emphasizes that direct current flowing through tissues long enough can cause pathological changes even if its intensity does not exceed the perception threshold [ 29 ]. According to Dechent et al. (2020), the negative effects of current flow through tissues may show up immediately, but may also be delayed by several months or even years [ 27 ]. The reduction in the values of all three parameters, which we noted in test 3 in both groups, suggests that the assessment of possible side effects of electrotherapy treatments in the throat and larynx area should be the subject of future studies in physiotherapy involving larger groups of subjects. A certain limitation of our study are few deviations from the adopted research protocol. In group G, one person used a lower dose of current (1.5 mA) due to the intense feeling of current vibrations. On the penultimate day of treatment, one patient from group G underwent two galvanization treatments (in the morning and evening). One person from group G had a second blood test one week later (3 weeks after the end of electrotherapy). Conclusion In summary, potassium iodide iontophoresis treatments do not affect the levels of TSH, FT 3 and FT 4 in the short and long term. The high frequency of focal lesions in the thyroid gland ultrasonography examination in the study group is an argument for carrying out such an examination in patients referred for electrotherapy in the pharynx and larynx area. The evaluation of possible side effects of electrotherapy in the area of the pharynx and larynx requires the continuation of follow-up studies including larger groups of subjects. Material And Methods Design Participants who agreed to participate in the study and had no contraindications to electrotherapy in the neck area were selected or excluded from participation in the study through a computer-generated randomization list. Qualified participants were subjected to ultrasonography of the thyroid gland and had hormone levels (TSH, FT 3 and FT 4 ) determined. Thereafter, two study groups assigned to two different interventions (galvanization – group G /iontophoresis – group I) were formed by subsequent randomization. The participants of the study were not informed to which group they were assigned to. A double-blinded, 1:1 parallel-group, randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants The students of the third, fourth and fifth year of physiotherapy were invited to participate in the study. They were given written information about the purpose and course of the study and the possibility of withdrawing from participation at every stage of the study. Inclusion criteria were: - informed written consent of the patient to participate in the study; - no contraindications to electrotherapy in the area of the throat and larynx; - normal results of ultrasonography of the thyroid and hormone levels (TSH, FT 3 , FT 4 ); - no neoplastic diseases and thyroid diseases in the examined person and in the immediate family. Exclusion criteria were: - poor tolerance of electrotherapy treatments; - breaks between consecutive treatments longer than 3 days; - failure to complete a series of iontophoresis / galvanization treatments; - use of any stimulants during the observation period. The members of Scientific Circle of Physical Energy Used in Physiotherapy were therapists. The study was conducted in Centre for Innovative Research in Medical and Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow. Intervention Participants were subjected to a series of 10 electrotherapy treatments (galvanization or iontophoresis) according to the result of randomization. Methodology of cathodic galvanization treatment: - distilled water (placebo) was used for the treatment - current 2 mA - treatment time 30 min Methodology of cathodic iontophoresis treatment: - 10 ml of 2% KI solution (200 mg of KI) was used - current 2 mA - treatment time 30 min After each treatment, the condition of the skin in the treatment area was assessed in order to exclude any symptoms of iodine allergy. During the iontophoresis procedure, 6.1927461 mg of potassium iodide, including 4.73409324 mg of iodine was introduced into the tissues (Appendix A). The following were used for electrotherapy: - a 4 cm x 5 cm active electrode placed in the throat area (current density was 0.1 mA / cm2) - a 5 cm x 6 cm passive electrode placed in the nape (current density was 0.066 mA / cm2) Outcome measures: Before the study, all students had an ultrasonography examination of the thyroid gland performed by a radiologist. The outcomes were the levels of TSH, FT 3 , FT 4 hormones (Appendix B). Hormone levels were tested before a series of 10 electrotherapy treatments (test 1), two weeks after the end of the electrotherapy series (test 2), and after 6 months (test 3) (Fig. 1). All hormone tests were performed in the same laboratory. Data analysis In the first stage of the analysis, the data obtained from the 50 participants who participated in test 1 and test 2 were analyzed. The level of TSH, FT 3 and FT 4 was compared before electrotherapy (test 1), after electrotherapy (test 2), as well as the effect of electrotherapy between group G (galvanization) and group I (iontophoresis). The statistical significance of the electrotherapy effect was also assessed in each group separately. In the next stage, the data obtained from 36 participants who took part in three subsequent tests were analyzed. The significance of changes in individual parameters was assessed in the period between the first and second tests (1-2), between the second and third tests (2-3), and between the first and third tests (1-3) (electrotherapy effects) - separately for group G and group I. The level of individual parameters was compared between groups I and G for each study, as well as for the observed changes (effects of different electrotherapy treatments). As the distributions of the studied values did not differ significantly from normality, parametric tests were used: - t-test for independent samples to evaluate differences between groups; - t-test for paired samples to assess the significance of changes in parameters between studies within groups. The chi-square test of independence was used to assess the differences in the frequency of decreases or increases in the values of individual parameters in both groups. The sample size was determined for one of the laboratory parameters, namely TSH. On the basis of the preliminary examination (for 10 people), the mean TSH value was determined at the level of 2.6 µIU / ml with the standard deviation amounting to about 1.2 µIU / ml. It was assumed that the sample size should detect a change between tests at 50% of the variation in the first test (i.e. 0.6 µIU / mL) at a significance level of 0.05 and 80% of test power. Such assumptions for the t-test for dependent samples give a minimum sample size of 21. Some assumptions taken into account might seem debatable therefore groups of 25 were included in the analysis. In the analysis and interpretation of results, statistical significance was determined at p≤0.05 (*p<0.05 **p<0.01; ***p<0.001). STATISTICA software was used for all calculations. Declarations Acknowledgements We thank the participants for giving their time and energy to take part in this study. The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution to the implementation of the study to the members of Scientific Circle of Physical Energy Used in Physiotherapy. Authors Contribution J.Z.: Conceptualization, Methodology, Validation, Investigation, Data Curation, Writing - Original Draft, Preparation, Supervision, Project administration A.B.: Methodology, Validation, Investigation, Data Curation, Writing - Review & Editing, Visualization, Funding acquisition B.K.: Methodology, Validation, Investigation, Data Curation, Writing - Review & Editing, Visualization, Funding acquisition J.K.: Investigation Funding This work was supported by University of Rzeszow, Medical College DN5121/18/2019, DNP-SKN/8/2020 Competing interests Te authors declare no competing interests. Ethics approval The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and the protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of University of Rzeszow (resolution No. 2018/05/04). 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Application of direct current electric fields to cells and tissues in vitro and modulation of wound electric field in vivo. Nat Protoc. 2 (6), 1479-1489, DOI: 1038/nprot.2007.205 (2007). Gierlotka, S. Effects of electric shock. Bezp Pr Nauk Prakt. 9 , 30-32 (2006). (in Polish) Geddes, L.A., Roeder, R.A. Direct-current injury: Electrochemical aspects. J Clin Monit. 18 , 157–161, DOI: 1023/B:JOCM.0000042923.00392.a8 (2004). Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files Appendix.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 02 Aug, 2021 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Major revision 24 May, 2021 Reviews received at journal 05 May, 2021 Reviewers agreed at journal 03 May, 2021 Reviewers invited by journal 25 Apr, 2021 Editor assigned by journal 25 Apr, 2021 Editor invited by journal 22 Apr, 2021 Submission checks completed at journal 22 Apr, 2021 First submitted to journal 25 Mar, 2021 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-362424","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":22652318,"identity":"9daa94d3-e03e-4079-991a-62f2415a0bc2","order_by":0,"name":"Jolanta Zwolińska","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA9klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACxgbmBiiTueEAA0MCAz+YU4BPC2MDSCGYCdYiCTbCAL89cC0MIJbBAQJamNsbGz8X/rCzNzje2Hi44E+avPHx3gPMBXi0MPYcbJaekZDMbHDmYMPhmW05htvOnEtgnoFPy4zEBmmeBGY2sxuJDYd5GyoYt93IMWDmwa+l+TdPQj0PWAvPnwr7zTMIa2kD2nJYAqKFLSdxgwQhLT0H26x50o4b2IP8wtuWljwD6JfD+Pxi2N58+DaPTbW9JJDxmedPsm1/e+/BxwUVeLQ0YIrxMBzGrYGBQR6LGA8DMz4to2AUjIJRMOIAAGUWVdL9zSmnAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"University of Rzeszow","correspondingAuthor":true,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jolanta","middleName":"","lastName":"Zwolińska","suffix":""},{"id":22652321,"identity":"7ffe41ab-6a68-4e40-8b2d-a4503cbbd868","order_by":1,"name":"Barbara Augustyn","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Rzeszow","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Barbara","middleName":"","lastName":"Augustyn","suffix":""},{"id":22652322,"identity":"9bf4ee11-2c85-40a3-bda2-6e83c7c47da5","order_by":2,"name":"Katarzyna Baj","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Rzeszow","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Katarzyna","middleName":"","lastName":"Baj","suffix":""},{"id":22652327,"identity":"2432d796-1547-4852-a203-e79d661a4f87","order_by":3,"name":"Jadwiga Krukowska","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Rzeszow","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jadwiga","middleName":"","lastName":"Krukowska","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2021-03-25 19:59:04","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-362424/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-362424/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-95145-w","type":"published","date":"2021-08-02T15:01:58+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":8368448,"identity":"7f377b86-81ba-48e6-b2e3-77b1ec467640","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2021-04-23 13:35:26","extension":"jpg","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":74379,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"Design and flow of participants through the trail","description":"","filename":"fig1.jpg","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-362424/v1/8e54c95e91e337059221e8ce.jpg"},{"id":15673267,"identity":"a52c5b05-9073-4c76-897b-5f2b1cc096c6","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2021-11-18 14:17:07","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":554193,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-362424/v1/ba560c13-bdb5-4b5f-a196-701ebc539e81.pdf"},{"id":8368597,"identity":"04922a7b-b448-499f-841b-8596a4137d19","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2021-04-23 13:38:27","extension":"docx","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":12705,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Appendix.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-362424/v1/ebaca357bdc46ef8f0820b58.docx"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eElectrotherapy Treatments Performed in the Area of the Throat and Larynx and the Level of TSH, FT\u003csub\u003e3 \u003c/sub\u003eand FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e Hormones: A Randomized Controlled Trial\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eIodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones: triiodothyronine (T\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e) and thyroxine (T\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e), which are essential for the proper functioning of the body. These hormones play an important role in metabolism, growth and maturation of various organs and systems, especially the nervous system [1,2]. According to the recommendations of WHO and IOM (The United States Institute of Medicine), the daily intake of iodine for adults should be 150 \u0026mu;g [2-4]. Both low and high iodine intake are associated with an increased risk of thyroid disease, and optimized iodine intake is an important to prevent thyroid diseases [3,5,6].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn order to assess the thyroid functioning, it is recommended to measure the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secreted by the pituitary gland and the free triiodothyronine (FT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e) and free thyroxine (FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e) in the blood [7-10].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedical reference books enumerate various indications for the use of physiotherapeutic procedures in the throat and larynx conditions [11-14]. However, these recommendations are not appropriately grounded in scientific studies and literature available in the databases. The most common throat and larynx conditions in which physical therapy is ordered include paralysis of the vocal cords of the larynx, chronic pharyngitis and laryngitis, dysphonia, vocal cord nodules. Patients are most often referred for physical therapy treatments in the area of the pharynx and larynx by medical specialists in the field of otolaryngology and phoniatrics [15]. Potassium iodide (KI) iontophoresis is used in the therapy of throat and larynx conditions, arthritis, arthrosis, scar contractures and hypertrophic scars [15-18].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe application of KI iontophoresis allows to reduce antibiotic therapy, which is of great importance in the case of its excessive use [19-21]. There are no reports in the literature on the possible side effects of KI iontophoresis in the pharynx and larynx area.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aim of the study was to assess the impact of KI iontophoresis procedures performed in the pharynx and larynx area on the level of TSH, FT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026nbsp;and FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026nbsp;hormones.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec2\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFlow of participants\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt baseline, the randomization process yielded no major differences between the groups G and I regarding age (P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.6234), gender (P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.3818), body mass index (P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.2724).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eShort-term effects of electrotherapy (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;50)\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne person from group G demonstrated a significant decrease in TSH level (0.101 \u0026micro;IU / ml) in test 2 while a significant increase in this value (11.6 \u0026micro;IU / ml) in test 3 was observed. This person was excluded from further analysis. For the remaining participants from both groups, TSH, FT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e and FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e levels were within the normal range. There were no statistically significant differences between groups G and I in TSH level in test 1 and test 2, as well as changes in TSH levels recorded in the period (1\u0026ndash;2) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n\u003ctable id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChanges in TSH levels in the study groups over the period (1\u0026ndash;2)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth rowspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTSH [\u0026micro;IU/ml]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"6\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eType of therapy\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth rowspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003egalvanization\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eiontophoresis\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMean (95% c.i.)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMe\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003es\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMean (95% c.i.)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMe\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003es\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore electrotherapy\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2.26 (1.84; 2.68)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2.03\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.01\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2.28 (1.99; 2.57)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2.22\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.71\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.9493\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter electrotherapy\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.96 (1.59; 2.32)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.88\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.89\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.93 (1.61; 2.24)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.75\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.77\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.8968\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTherapy effect\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.31 (0.61;0.00)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.22\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.74\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.35 (-0.66;-0.04)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.40\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.75\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.8278\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003ctfoot\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026ndash; test probability value calculated using the independent samples t-test.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tfoot\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDecrease in TSH levels (group G: P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.0513, group I: P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.0281) was observed in individual groups.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e level before electrotherapy was slightly higher in group G. There were no statistically significant differences between groups G and I in terms of changes in this parameter in the period (1\u0026ndash;2) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n\u003ctable id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChanges in FT3 levels in the studied groups in the period (1\u0026ndash;2)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth rowspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e [pg/ml]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"6\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eType of therapy\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth rowspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGalvanization\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIontophoresis\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMean (95% c.i.)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMe\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003es\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMean (95% c.i.)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMe\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003es\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore electrotherapy\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.43 (3.28; 3.59)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.42\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.37\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.23 (3.03; 3.42)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.36\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.47\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.0910\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter electrotherapy\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.42 (3.20; 3.63)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.38\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.52\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.37 (3.13; 3.60)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.34\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.57\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.7611\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTherapy effect\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.02 (-0.18;0.14)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.06\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.39\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.14 (-0.06; 0.34)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.11\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.48\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.2051\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003ctfoot\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"8\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026ndash; test probability value calculated using the independent samples \u003cem\u003et\u003c/em\u003e-test.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tfoot\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo statistically significant changes were found in the FT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e parameter in individual groups (group G: P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.8311, group I: P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.1521).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo statistically significant differences were observed between groups G and I in terms of changes in FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e in the period (1\u0026ndash;2) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n\u003ctable id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChanges in FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e in the studied groups in the period (1\u0026ndash;2)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth rowspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e [ng/dl]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"6\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eType of therapy\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth rowspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGalvanization\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIontophoresis\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMean (95% c.i.)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMe\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003es\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMean (95% c.i.)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMe\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003es\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore electrotherapy\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.31 (1.25; 1.38)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.31\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.16\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.29 (1.24; 1.33)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.26\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.12\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.5124\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter electrotherapy\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.31 (1.22; 1.39)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.25\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.21\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.26 (1.21; 1.32)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.29\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.14\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.3822\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTherapy effect\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.01 (-0.07; 0.06)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.03\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.16\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.02 (-0.07; 0.02)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.11\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.6473\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003ctfoot\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"8\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026ndash; test probability value calculated using the independent samples \u003cem\u003et\u003c/em\u003e-test.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tfoot\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo statistically significant changes were found in the FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e parameter in the studied groups in period (1\u0026ndash;2) (group G: P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.8710, group I: P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.3209).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe direction of changes of the measured parameters was analyzed in individual cases in groups G and I (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n\u003ctable id=\"Tab4\" style=\"width: 855px;\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe number and percentage of people for whom the given parameter increased and decreased in the period (1\u0026ndash;2)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 152px;\" rowspan=\"4\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrouped features\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 569px;\" colspan=\"8\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eType of therapy\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 70px;\" rowspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 284px;\" colspan=\"4\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGalvanization\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 285px;\" colspan=\"4\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIontophoresis\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 162px;\" colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDecrease\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 122px;\" colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncrease\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 157px;\" colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDecrease\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 128px;\" colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncrease\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 106px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eN\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 56px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e%\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 69px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eN\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 53px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e%\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 103px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eN\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 54px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e%\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 70px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eN\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 58px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e%\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"width: 70px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 152px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTSH [\u0026micro;IU/ml] (change)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 106px;\" align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60%\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 69px;\" align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 53px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40%\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 103px;\" align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e18\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 54px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e72%\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 70px;\" align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 58px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e28%\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 70px;\" align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.3705\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 152px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e [pg/ml] (change)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 106px;\" align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e56%\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 69px;\" align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 53px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e44%\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 103px;\" align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 54px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e40%\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 70px;\" align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 58px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60%\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 70px;\" align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.2575\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 152px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e [ng/dl] (change)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 106px;\" align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 56px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e56%\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 69px;\" align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 53px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e44%\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 103px;\" align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 54px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e48%\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 70px;\" align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 58px;\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e52%\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 70px;\" align=\"char\" char=\".\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.5713\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003ctfoot\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 791px;\" colspan=\"10\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026ndash; test probability value calculated using the chi-square test of independence.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tfoot\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn group G, TSH decreased in 60% of people, and in group I in 72%. There were no statistically significant differences between G group and I group in terms of the effects of electrotherapy. The share of people with decreased TSH level was similar in both groups, which corresponded to the previous conclusion, with a similar level of changes expressed in the numerical form. Similar conclusions can be drawn for the parameters FT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026nbsp;and FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLong-term effects of electrotherapy (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;36)\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn both groups, the TSH levels in test 3 were within the normal range. There were no statistically significant differences between groups G and I in TSH levels in three subsequent tests, as well as changes in TSH levels recorded in the periods: (1\u0026ndash;2), (2\u0026ndash;3) and (1\u0026ndash;3) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n\u003ctable id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChanges in TSH levels in the study groups in the period (1\u0026ndash;2), (2\u0026ndash;3) and (1\u0026ndash;3)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth rowspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTSH [\u0026micro;IU/ml]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"8\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eType of therapy\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth rowspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"4\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGalvanization (\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"BoldItalic\"\u003en\u003c/span\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u003cstrong\u003e=\u0026thinsp;21)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"4\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIontophoresis (\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"BoldItalic\"\u003en\u003c/span\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u003cstrong\u003e=\u0026thinsp;15)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMean (95% c.i.)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMe\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003es\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMean (95% c.i.)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMe\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003es\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore electrotherapy (1)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2.18 (1.72; 2.64)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.79\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.01\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2.42 (1.99; 2,86)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2,31\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0,79\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.4515\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter electrotherapy (2)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2.01 (1.65; 2.37)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.91\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.79\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.95 (1.57; 2.33)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.91\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.68\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.8238\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e6 months later (3)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.64 (1.36; 1.92)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.88\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.61\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.91 (1.46; 2.37)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.79\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.82\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.2640\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(1\u0026ndash;2)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.17 (-0.52; 0.18)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.76\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.47(-0.94;0.00)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.54\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.85\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.2819\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(2\u0026ndash;3)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.37 (-0.61; -0.12)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.33\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.54\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.04(-0.59;0.51)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.33\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.99\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.2108\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(1\u0026ndash;3)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.54 (-0.97; -0.12)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.39\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.93\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.51(-1.02;0.00)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.31\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.92\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.9185\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003ctfoot\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"10\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026ndash; test probability value calculated using the independent samples \u003cem\u003et\u003c/em\u003e-test.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tfoot\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn both groups in test 3 there was a significant decrease in TSH levels compared to the two previous measurements. In period (1\u0026ndash;3), there was a significant change in group G (P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.0151), while in group I there was a decrease at the verge of statistical significance (P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.0502).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimilar changes were found in the parameters FT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e and FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e. There were no significant differences between groups G and I regarding changes in FT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n\u003ctable id=\"Tab6\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 6\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChanges in FT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e levels in the study groups in the period (1\u0026ndash;2), (2\u0026ndash;3) and (1\u0026ndash;3)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth rowspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e [pg/ml]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"7\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eType of therapy\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth rowspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"4\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGalvanization (\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"BoldItalic\"\u003en\u003c/span\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u003cstrong\u003e=\u0026thinsp;21)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIontophoresis (\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"BoldItalic\"\u003en\u003c/span\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u003cstrong\u003e=\u0026thinsp;15)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMean (95% c.i.)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMe\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003es\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMean (95% c.i.)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMe\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003es\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore electrotherapy (1)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.42 (3.25; 3.59)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.42\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.37\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.29 (3.08; 3.51)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.36\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.39\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.3306\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter electrotherapy (2)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.43 (3.19; 3.67)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.38\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.53\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.40 (3.08; 3.72)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.37\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.57\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.8675\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e6 months later (3)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.14 (2.95; 3.33)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.14\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.42\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.00 (2.80; 3.19)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.03\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.35\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.2865\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(1\u0026ndash;2)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.01 (-0.17; 0.20)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.03\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.40\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.11 (-0.15; 0.37)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.47\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.5220\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(2\u0026ndash;3)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.29 (-0.56; -0.03)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.23\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.58\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.40 (-0.69; -0.12)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.27\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.52\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.5562\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(1\u0026ndash;3)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.28 (-0.45; -0.11)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.27\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.37\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"2\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.30 (-0.50; -0.09)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.14\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.37\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.8891\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003ctfoot\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"9\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026ndash; test probability value calculated using the independent samples \u003cem\u003et\u003c/em\u003e-test.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tfoot\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn both groups there were significant differences between the results of test 3 and two previous tests. There was a significant decrease in FT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e value in period (2\u0026ndash;3) (group G: P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.0325, group I: P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.0095) and in period 1\u0026ndash;3 (group G: P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.0024, group I: P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.0074). There were also no significant differences between groups G and I with regard to FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e parameter change (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n\u003ctable id=\"Tab7\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 7\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChanges in FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e levels in the study groups in the period (1\u0026ndash;2), (2\u0026ndash;3) and (1\u0026ndash;3)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003c/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth rowspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e [ng/dl]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"6\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eType of therapy\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGalvanization (\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"BoldItalic\"\u003en\u003c/span\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u003cstrong\u003e=\u0026thinsp;21)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth colspan=\"3\" align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIontophoresis (\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"BoldItalic\"\u003en\u003c/span\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u003cstrong\u003e=\u0026thinsp;15)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMean (95% c.i.)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMe\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003es\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMean (95% c.i.)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMe\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003es\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/th\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore electrotherapy (1)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.31 (1.24; 1.39)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.31\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.16\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.28 (1.24; 1.33)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.26\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.09\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.5584\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter electrotherapy (2)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.31 (1.21; 1.41)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.25\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.22\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.26 (1.19; 1.33)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.25\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.12\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.4002\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e6 months later (3)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.22 (1.15; 1.28)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.20\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.14\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.16 (1.10; 1.23)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1.15\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.12\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.2136\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(1\u0026ndash;2)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.00 (-0.08; 0.08)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.03\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.17\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.03 (-0.10; 0.04)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.04\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.12\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.6279\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(2\u0026ndash;3)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.09 (-0.20; 0.01)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.06\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.23\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.10 (-0.19; 0.00)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.08\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.18\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.9616\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(1\u0026ndash;3)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.09 (-0.16; -0.02)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.07\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.16\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.12 (-0.19; -0.05)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e-0.13\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.12\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e0.5553\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003ctfoot\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd colspan=\"8\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026ndash; test probability value calculated using the independent samples t-test.\u003c/td\u003e\n\u003c/tr\u003e\n\u003c/tfoot\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn period 1\u0026ndash;3 there was a significant decrease in FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e values in the G group (P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.0123) and in I group (P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.0016).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":" \u003cp\u003eThe bibliographic databases contain a few original works on application and possible side effects of galvanization or potassium iodide iontophoresis on the pharynx and larynx area.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study was designed to evaluate the effect of transdermal iodine application on the levels of TSH, FT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e, FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e. The amount of iodine that should penetrate the tissues during iontophoresis was calculated on the basis of Faraday's first law of electrolysis, assuming that the entire current is made up of only the ions of the drug substance [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e]. If numerous competing ions, including parasitic ones, are present in the pads used for the treatment during the iontophoresis, the amount of the basic drug substance penetrating the tissues is reduced.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePuttemans et al. (1982) confirmed the penetration of KI into the tissue using galvanic current. The authors estimate that about 10% of the KI used for iontophoresis has penetrated deep into the tissues in the transdermal administration. After a series of 10 iontophoresis treatments with KI, the mean concentration of iodine in the thyroid gland increased by about 30% [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe acceptable upper level of the daily iodine supply is 1100 \u0026micro;g, although the higher intake is usually well tolerated [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Ingestion of KI provides a safe protection against irradiation of the thyroid gland after exposure to radioactive iodine [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e]. Verger et al. review shows that the daily consumption of a dose of 15 mg KI effectively protects the thyroid gland at the level of over 90% [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e]. According to Zanzonico \u0026amp; Becker, the blockage of the thyroid gland by oral KI in a dose of 50\u0026ndash;100 mg may effectively reduce the thyroid radiation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e]. In the study by Bacher et al., 100 mg of KI daily was used to prevent radiation of the thyroid gland [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn our study, 200 mg of KI was used for a single iontophoresis treatment. From Faraday's law I of electrolysis, it results that during one iontophoresis treatment less than 6.1927461 mg of KI was introduced into the tissues. Our calculation is based on the assumption that it is impossible to eliminate all competing ions in the electric field created between the treatment electrodes. The changes in hormone levels observed by us may indicate that the iodine dose used had no effect on the levels of TSH, FT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e and FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e hormones.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDuring iontophoresis, the thyroid gland is also influenced by direct, galvanic current. The biological effect of electric fields is still the subject of much research. The flow of current can affect all tissues and organs [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e]. Living cells can be induced to migrate by applying a small dose of direct current (galvanotaxis) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e]. The human body as an element of an electrical circuit has the character of an anisotropic conductor. During the flow of current, thermal energy is released and the tissues are hyperemic [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e]. According to the Joule-Lenz\u0026rsquo;s law, the amount of heat released is directly proportional to the square of the current intensity, its flow time and tissue resistance [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e]. The electric current causes depolarization of the cell membrane of excitable cells [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e]. It also influences the pH of the tissues. The electrochemical changes around the negative electrode (the alkaline environment produced by OH- ions) are more severe compared to the changes around the positive electrode (the acidic environment produced by H\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;ions) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e]. In our study, the heat generated and electrochemical changes were minor and did not pose a threat to the study participants subjected to the experiment. We used a current of 2 mA, which corresponds to the perception threshold for direct current. This value is about 1.5 mA for women and about 2.5 mA for men [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGierlotka (2006) emphasizes that direct current flowing through tissues long enough can cause pathological changes even if its intensity does not exceed the perception threshold [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e]. According to Dechent et al. (2020), the negative effects of current flow through tissues may show up immediately, but may also be delayed by several months or even years [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e]. The reduction in the values of all three parameters, which we noted in test 3 in both groups, suggests that the assessment of possible side effects of electrotherapy treatments in the throat and larynx area should be the subject of future studies in physiotherapy involving larger groups of subjects.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA certain limitation of our study are few deviations from the adopted research protocol. In group G, one person used a lower dose of current (1.5 mA) due to the intense feeling of current vibrations. On the penultimate day of treatment, one patient from group G underwent two galvanization treatments (in the morning and evening). One person from group G had a second blood test one week later (3 weeks after the end of electrotherapy).\u003c/p\u003e "},{"header":"Conclusion","content":" \u003cp\u003eIn summary, potassium iodide iontophoresis treatments do not affect the levels of TSH, FT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e and FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e in the short and long term. The high frequency of focal lesions in the thyroid gland ultrasonography examination in the study group is an argument for carrying out such an examination in patients referred for electrotherapy in the pharynx and larynx area. The evaluation of possible side effects of electrotherapy in the area of the pharynx and larynx requires the continuation of follow-up studies including larger groups of subjects.\u003c/p\u003e "},{"header":"Material And Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eDesign\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticipants who agreed to participate in the study and had no contraindications to electrotherapy in the neck area were selected or excluded from participation in the study through a computer-generated randomization list. Qualified participants were subjected to ultrasonography of the thyroid gland and had hormone levels (TSH, FT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e and FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e) determined. Thereafter, two study groups assigned to two different interventions (galvanization \u0026ndash; group G /iontophoresis \u0026ndash; group I) were formed by subsequent randomization. The participants of the study were not informed to which group they were assigned to. A double-blinded, 1:1 parallel-group, randomized controlled trial was conducted.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eParticipants\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe students of the third, fourth and fifth year of physiotherapy were invited to participate in the study. They were given written information about the purpose and course of the study and the possibility of withdrawing from participation at every stage of the study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInclusion criteria were:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- informed written consent of the patient to participate in the study;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- no contraindications to electrotherapy in the area of the throat and larynx;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- normal results of ultrasonography of the thyroid and hormone levels (TSH, FT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e, FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e);\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- no neoplastic diseases and thyroid diseases in the examined person and in the immediate family.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExclusion criteria were:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- poor tolerance of electrotherapy treatments;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- breaks between consecutive treatments longer than 3 days;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- failure to complete a series of iontophoresis / galvanization treatments;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- use of any stimulants during the observation period.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe members of Scientific Circle of Physical Energy Used in Physiotherapy were therapists.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study was conducted in Centre for Innovative Research in Medical and Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eIntervention\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;Participants were subjected to a series of 10 electrotherapy treatments (galvanization or iontophoresis) according to the result of randomization.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethodology of cathodic galvanization treatment:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- distilled water (placebo) was used for the treatment\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- current 2 mA\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- treatment time 30 min\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethodology of cathodic iontophoresis treatment:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- 10 ml of 2% KI solution (200 mg of KI) was used\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- current 2 mA\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- treatment time 30 min\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter each treatment, the condition of the skin in the treatment area was assessed in order to exclude any symptoms of iodine allergy.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring the iontophoresis procedure, 6.1927461 mg of potassium iodide, including 4.73409324 mg of iodine was introduced into the tissues (Appendix A).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe following were used for electrotherapy:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- a 4 cm x 5 cm active electrode placed in the throat area (current density was 0.1 mA / cm2)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- a 5 cm x 6 cm passive electrode placed in the nape (current density was 0.066 mA / cm2)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eOutcome measures:\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore the study, all students had an ultrasonography examination of the thyroid gland performed by a radiologist.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe outcomes were the levels of TSH, FT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e, FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e hormones (Appendix B). Hormone levels were tested before a series of 10 electrotherapy treatments (test 1), two weeks after the end of the electrotherapy series (test 2), and after 6 months (test 3) (Fig. 1). All hormone tests were performed in the same laboratory.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eData analysis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the first stage of the analysis, the data obtained from the 50 participants who participated in test 1 and test 2 were analyzed. The level of TSH, FT\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e and FT\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e was compared before electrotherapy (test 1), after electrotherapy (test 2), as well as the effect of electrotherapy between group G (galvanization) and group I (iontophoresis). The statistical significance of the electrotherapy effect was also assessed in each group separately.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the next stage, the data obtained from 36 participants who took part in three subsequent tests were analyzed. The significance of changes in individual parameters was assessed in the period between the first and second tests (1-2), between the second and third tests (2-3), and between the first and third tests (1-3) (electrotherapy effects) - separately for group G and group I. The level of individual parameters was compared between groups I and G for each study, as well as for the observed changes (effects of different electrotherapy treatments).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the distributions of the studied values did not differ significantly from normality, parametric tests were used:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- t-test for independent samples to evaluate differences between groups;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- t-test for paired samples to assess the significance of changes in parameters between studies within groups.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chi-square test of independence was used to assess the differences in the frequency of decreases or increases in the values of individual parameters in both groups.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sample size was determined for one of the laboratory parameters, namely TSH. On the basis of the preliminary examination (for 10 people), the mean TSH value was determined at the level of 2.6 \u0026micro;IU / ml with the standard deviation amounting to about 1.2 \u0026micro;IU / ml. It was assumed that the sample size should detect a change between tests at 50% of the variation in the first test (i.e. 0.6 \u0026micro;IU / mL) at a significance level of 0.05 and 80% of test power. Such assumptions for the t-test for dependent samples give a minimum sample size of 21. Some assumptions taken into account might seem debatable therefore groups of 25 were included in the analysis.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the analysis and interpretation of results, statistical significance was determined at p\u0026le;0.05 (*p\u0026lt;0.05 **p\u0026lt;0.01; ***p\u0026lt;0.001). \u003cem\u003eSTATISTICA \u003c/em\u003esoftware was used for all calculations.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe thank the participants for giving their time and energy to take part in this study. The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution to the implementation of the study to the members of Scientific Circle of Physical Energy Used in Physiotherapy.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors Contribution\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJ.Z.:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConceptualization,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMethodology,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eValidation,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInvestigation,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eData Curation,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWriting - Original Draft,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePreparation,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupervision,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProject administration\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA.B.:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMethodology,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eValidation,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInvestigation,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eData Curation,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWriting - Review \u0026amp; Editing,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisualization,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFunding acquisition\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eB.K.:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMethodology,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eValidation,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInvestigation,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eData Curation,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWriting - Review \u0026amp; Editing,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisualization,\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFunding acquisition\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJ.K.:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInvestigation\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis work was supported by University of Rzeszow, Medical College DN5121/18/2019,\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDNP-SKN/8/2020\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTe authors declare no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and the protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of University of Rzeszow (resolution No. 2018/05/04). Participants gave written informed consent before fata collection began.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrial registration\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04013308; URL: \u003ca href=\"http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/\"\u003ewww.clinicaltrials.gov\u003c/a\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDay of first registration 09/07/2019\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpitzweg, C., Heufelder, A.E., Morris, J.C. Thyroid iodine transport. \u003cstrong\u003e10\u003c/strong\u003e(4), 321-330,\u0026nbsp; DOI:10.1089/thy.2000.10.321 (2000).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeung, A.M., Braverman, L.E. Iodine-induced thyroid dysfunction. \u003cem\u003eCurr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e19\u003c/strong\u003e(5), 414-419, DOI:10.1097/MED.0b013e3283565bb2 (2012).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZimmermann, M.,B., Boelaert, K. 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Effects of time of administration and dietary iodine levels on potassium iodide (ki) blockade of thyroid irradiation by 131i from radioactive fallout. \u003cem\u003eHealth Phys: The Radiation Safety Journal.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e78\u003c/strong\u003e(6), 660-667, DOI:\u003ca href=\"https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-200006000-00008\"\u003e10.1097/00004032-200006000-00008\u003c/a\u003e (2007).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBacher, K. \u003cem\u003e al.\u003c/em\u003e Thyroid uptake and radiation dose after 131I-lipiodol treatment: is thyroid blocking by potassium iodide necessary? \u003cem\u003eEur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cstrong\u003e29\u003c/strong\u003e(10), 1311-1316, DOI:\u003ca href=\"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-002-0917-z\"\u003e10.1007/s00259-002-0917-z\u003c/a\u003e (2002).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDechent, D. \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e Direct current electrical injuries: A systematic review of case reports and case series. \u003cstrong\u003e46\u003c/strong\u003e(2), 267-278, DOI:\u003ca href=\"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2018.11.020\"\u003e 10.1016/j.burns.2018.11.020\u003c/a\u003e (2020).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSong, B. \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. Application of direct current electric fields to cells and tissues in vitro and modulation of wound electric field in vivo. \u003cem\u003eNat Protoc.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e2\u003c/strong\u003e(6), 1479-1489, DOI:\u003ca href=\"https://doi.org/10.1038/nprot.2007.205\"\u003e1038/nprot.2007.205\u003c/a\u003e (2007).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGierlotka, S. Effects of electric shock. \u003cem\u003eBezp Pr Nauk Prakt.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e9\u003c/strong\u003e, 30-32 (2006). (in Polish)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGeddes, L.A., Roeder, R.A. Direct-current injury: Electrochemical aspects. \u003cem\u003eJ Clin Monit. \u003c/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e18\u003c/strong\u003e, 157\u0026ndash;161, DOI:\u003ca href=\"https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOCM.0000042923.00392.a8\"\u003e1023/B:JOCM.0000042923.00392.a8\u003c/a\u003e (2004).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Electrotherapy, potassium iodide iontophoresis, electrotherapy ","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-362424/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-362424/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eNo current studies are available on application and side effects of potassium iodide iontophoresis. This study assessed the potassium iodide iontophoresis effect in the throat and larynx area on TSH, FT3 and FT4 hormone levels. Double-blinded randomized controlled trial with 1:1 parallel-group was conducted\u0026nbsp;at the University of Rzeszow, Poland. A total of\u0026nbsp;50 healthy volunteers with normal TSH, FT3, FT4 levels without focal changes in the thyroid ultrasonography were subjected to 10 electrotherapy treatments (galvanization and iontophoresis groups). TSH, FT3, FT4 levels were determined before 10 treatments (test 1), 2 weeks after their completion (test 2) and after 6 months (test 3). In tests 2 and 3, both groups had normal levels of TSH, FT3, and FT4. No statistically significant differences between the galvanization and iontophoresis groups were found in terms of change of TSH, FT3, FT4 levels between tests 1 vs. 2 and 1 vs. 3.\u0026nbsp;Both groups had lower levels of all measured parameters in test 3. Potassium iodide iontophoresis does not affect thyroid hormone levels in the short and long term. It is advisable to continue the follow-up study with larger groups to confirm the safety of electrotherapy procedures in the pharynx and larynx area.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Electrotherapy Treatments Performed in the Area of the Throat and Larynx and the Level of TSH, FT3 and FT4 Hormones: A Randomized Controlled Trial","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2021-04-23 13:35:25","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-362424/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Major revision","date":"2021-05-24T14:04:14+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2021-05-05T10:38:10+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"327fd52f-da00-4f0a-9fb8-cc9ccb3ae413","date":"2021-05-03T08:18:18+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2021-04-25T17:36:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2021-04-25T17:15:32+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2021-04-22T08:37:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2021-04-22T08:27:01+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Scientific Reports","date":"2021-03-25T19:48:23+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"ff341242-084e-40cd-9cd4-ec4d4e40210d","owner":[],"postedDate":"April 23rd, 2021","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[{"id":3850751,"name":"Endocrinology \u0026 Metabolism"},{"id":3850752,"name":"Medical Genetics"},{"id":3850753,"name":"Health Policy"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2021-08-22T15:12:12+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-362424","link":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-95145-w","journal":{"identity":"scientific-reports","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Scientific Reports"},"publishedOn":"2021-08-02 15:01:58","publishedOnDateReadable":"August 2nd, 2021"},"versionCreatedAt":"2021-04-23 13:35:25","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1038/s41598-021-95145-w","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-95145-w","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-362424","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-362424","identity":"rs-362424","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"FbvkV6FR0MCFSLy54lSbu","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}