Exposure to mechanical stimuli such as pressure and stretching prompts the skin to undergo physiological adaptations to accommodate and distribute applied forces, a process known as mechanotransduction.
Mechanotherapy, which leverages mechanotransduction, shows significant promise across various medical disciplines. Traditional methods, such as massage and compression therapy, effectively promote skin healing by utilizing this mechanism, although they require direct skin contact. This study introduces a novel contactless modality, Shear Wave Stimulation SWS , and evaluates its efficacy compared to traditional massage in eliciting responses from human skin and fascia.
Fifteen healthy volunteers received SWS, while another fifteen volunteers received massage. Additionally, deformation analysis of ultrasound images showed distinct responses of the skin and fascia to the two stimuli. The observed extension across the entire skin with SWS highlights its potential as a groundbreaking contactless approach for promoting skin healing. Furthermore, the differing responses in blood flow reaffirm the distinct stimulation modes of SWS and massage. These findings establish a foundation for future innovative skin therapy modalities.
Keywords: fascia; human skin; massage; mechanical behaviors; mechanotransduction; shear wave stimulation. Abstract Exposure to mechanical stimuli such as pressure and stretching prompts the skin to undergo physiological adaptations to accommodate and distribute applied forces, a process known as mechanotransduction.
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