Fluidotherapy is a heating modality that uses a stream of heated air to fluidize fine particles like corn cob inside a cabinet. This creates air pockets and bubbles that transmit heat and tactile stimulation to the body part inside. It works by convection to transfer heat from the circulating heated air and particles to increase blood flow and assist with pain relief. The fluidized particles allow limbs to float freely and exercise to be performed inside the cabinet. Research studies have found fluidotherapy may help reduce edema but is not effective for improving hand function in rheumatoid arthritis patients. It also does not provide as much rewarming for mild hypothermia as warm water immersion.

1. Fluidotherapy
Priyanka Goyal
MPT 1st yr

2. Introduction
• Fluidotherapy is a dry
heating agent, that
provides mechanical as
well as thermal stimuli
to produce therapeutic
effect.
• It is a superficial heating
modality.

3. TRANSMISSION OF HEAT
• Fluidotherapy transfers heat by CONVECTION
method.
• Transference of heat to a body by the movement
of air, matter, or liquid around the part of body.
• During heating or cooling by convection the
thermal agent is in motion, the kinetic energy of
the molecules is increased, they move farther
apart and the part becomes less dense.

5. EQUIPMENT
• Consists of a cabinet containing fine ground
cellulose particles made from corn cob.
• Heated air is made to be circulated through the
particles, so that the particles move like liquid.
• Allows high heating (higher than water and
paraffin).
• It utilizes a stream of thermostatically controlled
heated air flowing over and through particles by
an electric fan inside a lid covered steel cabinet.

6. • This air stream creates air pockets and
bubbles to provide a powerful massaging
action that transmits heat and tactile
stimulation to achieve many physiological and
therapeutic benefits.

7. KEY EFFECTS
• DRY HEAT- Increases blood circulation and assists
in pain relief.
• LIMB BUOYANCY- Allows patients to freely
perform a variety of resistive exercises with
increased mobility and decreased pain.
• The fluidized particles act like a low viscosity
fluid, allowing limbs to be suspended much like in
a liquid state.
• MASSAGING- The action provides warmth,
increased local circulation and pain diminishing
effect to help increase joint range of motion.

8. APPLICATION
• The patients part is put inside the cabinet
starts to float as if floating inside water and
gets heated. As the system has very low
viscosity, it allows exercise to be performed
inside the cabinet, like exercises performed
inside warm water but the part does not get
wet.
• Temperature range = 38 to 45 C.
• Treatment time = 15 – 20 minutes

9. PREPARATION
• The patient should be prepared in the same way
like hot pack application, i.e. the part is
undressed, jewelry etc. is removed and skin
sensation for heat and cold is checked.
• If there is any open wound on the part to be
treated, it should be covered with a plastic sheet.
• The part to be treated is extended through the
portal of the unit and sleeve should be closed to
prevent the particles from coming out.

10. • Moreover the fluidotherapy unit device is such
that it contains additional entry ports to allow the
therapist to enter the cabinet and thus passive
movements of the distal extremities can be
performed inside the device itself.
• The required temperature is maintained and the
patient is told to exercise the part inside the
cabinet.
• After treatment is over the part is removed from
the cabinet and the skin is examined.
• A mild erythema is normal.

11. INDICATIONS
• Treat distal extremities:
1. Decrease pain
2. Increase range of motion
3. Decrease swelling
4. Decrease spasm
5. Inflammation
6. Post – operative Rehabilitation
7. Sub – acute condition
8. Chronic condition

12. CONTRAINDICATIONS
1. Fever
2. Anesthetic area
3. Severe circulatory disorder
4. Hemorrhage
5. Heat sensitive patient

13. ADVANTAGES
1. Easy to use
2. Most body areas can be treated
3. Allows for some active exercise
4. Provides some dry and comfortable heat
5. Can be used for desensitization treatment

14. Disadvantages
• Expensive to purchase
• Some patients don’t like the closed in feeling
• Some patients are intolerant to the particles
present inside
• May require the limb to be placed in
dependent position

15. Researches
• The effect of fluidotherapy on hand dexterity and
activities of daily living in patients with edema on
stroke
• Author - Sang woo Han
• Journal- journal of physical therapy science 2017
• Methodology – 3 week course of fluidotherapy
was given
• Results – using fluidotherapy can reduce edema

16. Is fluidotherapy effective in improving
hand function in patients with RA
• Author – Nihan Erdinc Gunduz
• Journal – Clinial rehabilitation, 2019
• Methodology- group 1 – fluidotherapy was
given, group 2- control group, grip strength
was measured at week 3 and 12
• Results – fluidotherapy was not effective in
improving hand function in patients with RA

17. Comparison of distal limb warming with
fluidotherapy and warm water immersion for
mild hypothermia rewarming.
• Journal – Wilderness Journal, 2015
• Methodology- fluidotherapy applied- 46±1C
and water immersion 44±1C
• Result- warm water [roduced highest
rewarming rte, 6.1 C compared with 2.2 C in
fluidotherapy. Fluidotherapy was not as
effective as warm water for rewarming mildly
hypothermic subjects.

18. Effect of fluidotherapy on superficial radial
nerve conduction and skin temperature
• Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports physical
Therapy 2005
• Author- Ginoza L
• Methodology – one group underwent heat
and tactile stimulus and other group
underwent tactile stimulus alone for 20 min
• Result- there was decrease in distal sensory
latency of the superficial radial sensory nerve
action potential with heat and tactile stimulus.

19. Thank you