Therapeutic ultrasound is extensively used by physiotherapists and is popular with patients. There is limited clinical research support for using it and the literature on the effectiveness of ultrasound in physiotherapy is inconclusive. Absence of evidence of effect does, however, not mean evidence of lack of effect.
The committee expressed concern about the variability of machine calibration, and highlighted the need for well conducted randomised controlled trials to establish clinical and economic benefits of therapeutic ultrasound.