New book challenges myths of ineffective EPA

[janbjord]

We have just published a book that challenges the reviews that have stated ineffectiveness of EPA. In contrast to current opinion, we find that EPA in many cases is effective if optimal dose and a valid treatment procedure is maintained. Only between 45 and 60 % of 300 published randomised controlled have been performed with optimal treatment. 82 of 98 placebocontrolled trials with optimal treatment yielded significant results. We derived optimal dose from succesful laboratory trials, and tested if our assumed optimal treatment achieved better results than non-optimal treatment. The results were highly significant in favour of our assumed optimal treatment for at least one diagnosis treated by TENS/ALTENS/IFC, laser and pulsed electromagnetic therapy. Results for ultrasound were equivocal.
Read about the book "Clinical electrotherapy - Your guide to optimal treatment" on www.hoyskoleforlaget.no. Authors are Jan M. Bjordal, Mark I Johnson and Christian Couppe. The first meta-analysis of laser therapy for tendinopathy will appear in the upcoming issue (3,2001)of Physical Therapy Reviews, and more scientific papers on evaluation of effect of EPA are coming soon.