Which of the following is NOT a listed use of iontophoresis?

• A. Increase muscle mass
• B. Decrease inflammation
• C. Decrease swelling and edema
• D. Decrease pain

Answer: (A)

Iontophoresis uses a small electrical current to push charged medications through the skin so they reach a targeted, localized tissue. This helps deliver anti-inflammatory drugs directly to inflamed areas, which can reduce inflammation, swelling or edema, and pain.

Increasing muscle mass isn’t achieved with this technique. Muscle hypertrophy results from mechanical overload and metabolic signaling in muscle tissue, together with proper nutrition and training—not from topical or localized drug delivery. So the options that reflect reducing inflammation, swelling, and pain are consistent with iontophoresis, while increasing muscle mass is not.