Comparison of the Gel-SHOT Versus Traditional Ultrasound Gel to Raise Tissue Temperature

The effectiveness of a new ultrasound coupling medium, the Gel-SHOT, compared with ultrasound gel, was assessed by measuring tissue temperature changes in human muscle. Thirty-eight healthy participants were randomly assigned to receive 1- or 3-MHz ultrasound treatments. On different days, participants received ultrasound treatments with ultrasound gel or the Gel-SHOT. Implantable thermocouples were inserted into the triceps surae muscle at a depth of 3 or 2 cm to measure tissue temperature for the 1- or 3-MHz treatments, respectively. At 1 MHz, the Gel-SHOT allowed for a significant temperature increase (3.9°C ± 1.4°C) over ultrasound gel (2.6°C ± 1.1°C) (P = .045). However, at 3 MHz, the Gel-SHOT (4.5°C ± 1.2°C) and ultrasound gel (4.1°C ± 1.4°C) allowed for a similar temperature increase (P = .85). The Gel-SHOT will allow for higher or similar ultrasound heating compared with ultrasound gel. [Athletic Training & Sports Health Care. 2014;6(6):273–279.]