Abstract
Therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) is the most commonly used physiotherapy treatment for inflammatory conditions of the lactating breast (ICLB) which can affect up to 33% of post-partum women. There is no literature on whether the thermal effect of TUS alters breastmilk composition. The aim of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the effect of therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) on the pre–post-session protein, fat and lactose concentration of breastmilk. During a single session conducted in an enclosed room within the community in Perth, Western Australia, TUS was applied for 10 min to the right breast. Pre- and post-TUS 5 mL expressed breastmilk samples were collected. The main outcome measured was concentration of breastmilk protein (g/L), fat (%) and lactose (g/L) before and after application of TUS. There was a significant increase in breastmilk fat concentration between measures taken pre- and post-TUS (mean difference, 1.36%; 95% CI [0.97, 1.75], p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in breastmilk protein (mean difference, −0.64; 95% CI [−1.93, 0.64], p = 0.328) or lactose concentration (mean difference, −4.77; 95% CI [−11.57, 2.03], p = 0.169) between measures taken pre- and post-TUS. In conclusion, TUS applied to the healthy lactating breast does not adversely affect the protein, fat or lactose concentrations of breastmilk. The results of this study support the use of TUS as a safe treatment option for mothers suffering from ICLB.
Author Contributions
Conceptualization, K.E., R.M., S.M., A.P.T., A.M., D.T.G., P.G. and L.M.; methodology, K.E., R.M., S.M. and A.P.T.; validation, K.E., R.M., S.M. and A.P.T.; formal analysis, K.E.; resources, D.T.G. and L.M.; data curation, K.E., R.M., S.M. and A.P.T.; writing—original draft preparation, K.E., R.M., S.M. and A.P.T.; writing—review and editing, K.E., R.M., S.M., A.P.T., A.M., D.T.G., P.G. and L.M; supervision, A.M., C.T.L., D.T.G., P.G. and L.M. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding
This research received no external funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement
This study was approved by the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12621001025820p, 5 August 2021).
Informed Consent Statement
Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.
Data Availability Statement
Data sharing not applicable.
Acknowledgments
Angela Jacques is acknowledged for her assistance with statistical analysis.
Conflicts of Interest
D.T.G. declares participation in the Scientific Advisory Board of Medela AG. C.T.L. and D.T.G. are/were supported by an unrestricted research grant from Medela AG, administered by The University of Western Australia. Medela AG had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.
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