INTERFERENTIAL

THERAPY -
Electrodiagnosis &
Physical agents
Course Code: MPT19205
GUIDED BY : Prof. P. Kamalanathan
PRESENTED BY : BATCH – 06.
Masters Of Physiotherapy, 2nd Semester ( 1st YEAR ),
2021 BATCH, SRMIST, COLLEGE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY,
KATTANKULATHUR, TAMIL NADU.

08/02/2024 1
INTRODUCTION
 INTRODUCTION
Medium frequency currents : frequency falls between
1000 Hz to 10,000 Hz with therapeutic range of 50 –
150 Hz depending upon the conditions and stages of
the pathology. So the advantages of application of IFT
are :
• MF Current associated with lower skin impedance
• More comfortable than low frequency currents
• More tolerable current penetration through the skin is
possible.

It is the production of low frequency currents in the body

by the simultaneous application of two different medium
frequency currents.
SKIN IMPEDANCE
PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES OF WEB INTERFERENCE :
COMBINED EFFECTS
PRINCIPLES OF WEB INTERFERENCE :
COMBINED EFFECTS
PRINCIPLES OF WEB INTERFERENCE :
COMBINED EFFECTS
WORKING & PRODUCTION
WORKING & PRODUCTION
WORKING & PRODUCTION
WORKING & PRODUCTION
AMPLITUE MODULATION FREQUENCY
AMPLITUDE MODULATION FREQUENCY
 APPLICATION OF
INTERFERENTIAL THERAPY
 SKIN IMPEDANCE
• Tissue resistance is inversely proportional to
frequency.
Z=1/2fc

Where, Z= skin resistance by ohm

F= frequency
C= capacity of the skin in microfarad
SKIN IMPEDANCE
SKIN IMPEDANCE
METHODS OF IFT APPLICATION:

• 2-poles ( Bipolar)
• 4-poles : Quadripolar static
Quadripolar with vector scan
• Stereo-dynamic method (3D)
 BIPOLAR METHOD:
• Description: 2 poles (Bipolar) / 1 channel / 2 electrodes
• Production: Interference of two medium frequency
sinusoidal current circuit 1; C1 = 3000HZ with another
circuit; C2 = 3050 HZ, to introduce low frequency current
with beat frequency (50HZ).
• Modulation: Amplitude and frequency modulated beats
are pre-mixed in the machine before it is delivered in the
patients skin.
• Field: static
• Shape:Oval
• Intensity: strong but comfortable, highest tolerance of
muscles contraction.
• Uses: suitable for small area ( ankle, elbow)
 STATIC QUADRIPOLAR
• Description: 4-poles IFC ( quadripolar) 2 channels/ 4
electrodes.
• Production: Interference of two medium frequency sinusoidal
current circuit 1 ; C1 = 3000HZ, with another circuit; C2 =
3050HZ, to introduce low frequency current with beat
frequency (50HZ).
• Modulation: Amplitude and frequency modulated beats are
pre-mixed in the patients skin.
• Field : static
• Shape: four-leaf clover
• Intensity: strong but comfortable, highest tolerance of
muscles contraction. The maximum amplitude of current is
halfway between the lines of two currents.
• Uses: for acute conditions because of its mildness effect.
QUADRIPOLAR VECTOR SCAN:
• Description: 4-poles IFC ( quadripolar) 2 channels / 4
electrodes
• Production: Interference of two medium frequency sinusoidal
current circuit 1 ; C1=3000HZ, with another circuit; C2=
3050HZ; to introduce low frequency current with beat
frequency (50HZ)
• Modulation: Amplitude and frequency modulated beats are
pre mixed in the patients skin.
• Field: dynamic
• Shape: circular
• Intensity: strong but comfortable; highest tolerance of
muscles contraction. The maximum amplitude of current is
halfway between the lines of two currents.
• Uses: best used for large area and diffuse pain as shoulder,
back, and thigh.
STEREO DYNAMIC METOD(3D):
 IFT APPLICATION PARAMETERS

• STIMULATOR TYPES: 1) Desk cabinet (line- powered)

2) portable (battery –powered)
• METHODS OF DELIVERY:
1) BIPOLAR: for localized
tissue
2) QUADRIPOLAR: for deeper
tissue
3) QUADRIPOLAR WITH VECTOR:
for deeper tissue with enlarged
area
• CURRENT MODES : constant current modes
sweep current ( rhythmic current modes)
• ELECTRODE TYPES: pad, rubber, carbon-impregnated.
Dosage of interferential therapy

• For pain relief = 80-100 Hz

• For reduce swelling = 1-10Hz
• Reduce edema = 100 Hz
• For partial tetany contraction = 30-
100 Hz
• Apply for 15 minutes
 CONTD;
• INTENSITY OF CURRENT: use an intensity of current
which produces a strong but comfortable prickling
sensation without a muscular contraction.
1 ) Increase current until the patient feels a definite
prickling, and leave for 1-5 minute for it to decrease.
2) increase current again until the patient reports a slight
muscular contraction, then decrease until contraction stops.
• DURATION OF TREATMENT:
• IFC usually applied for 10-20 minutes treatment at a
normal intensity.
• should not be given to one area for longer than 20
minutes.
• If more than one area is to be treated a total time
should not exceed 30min.
 CONTD;
• FREQUENCY OF TREATMENT:
In most cases, treatment every other day (i.e.3/wk)
is ideal.
A course of 12-24 treatments is given(use until IFT
is no longer effective).
ELECTRODE PLACEMENT:
1) KNEE /ELBOW PAIN:
 CONTD;
2) NECK/BACK PAIN:
 CONTD;
3)SHOULDER PAIN:
 PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
The physiological effect of IFT depends upon

1. Magnitude of current
2. Type of mode used – rhythmic or constant
3. Frequency range used
4. Accuracy of electrode positioning

Different beat frequencies lead to different effects

• Higher beat frequencies ( around 100 Hz) used for

analgesic effect
• Lower beat frequencies (around 10 Hz ) used for
contraction of innervated muscles
Main clinical application are:
1. Pain relief
2. Muscle stimulation
3. Increased local blood flow
4. Reduction of edema

5. PAIN RELIEF

It is the most important effect and can be achieved by several

mechanism

 ACTIVATION OF PAIN GATE CONTROL MECHANISM

Large diameter afferent nerve fibers stimulate closes the

gate of nociceptive impulses in posterior horn of spinal cord

 ACTIVATION OF NOCICEPTIVE FIBERS

Nociceptive fibers activation diminish pain by descending

pain suppressor system
 PHYSIOLOGICAL BLOCK

High frequency electrical stimuli above 50 Hz cause temporary

physiological block in myelinated and unmyelinated nociceptor nerve fibers
(Aẟ + C fibers)

 INCREASED BLOOD FLOW

Pain suppression due to - increased blood flow

- tissue fluid exchange
( blood flow increases it removes chemical irritants which stimulate nerve
endings)

 ABSORPTION OF EXUDATES

Exudates is accelerated by frequency of 1 – 10 Hz with rhythmical

pumping action produced by muscle contraction
Helps to absorb exudates and reduce swelling
 MUSCLE CONTRACTION

Low beat frequency stimulate motor nerves ( 10 – 50Hz) causes contraction

of voluntary muscles and smooth muscles contraction reduces oedema

2. MUSCLE STIMULATION

For patients who cannot generate useful voluntary contraction, IFT may be
beneficial
Most effective motor nerve stimulation range is between 10- 25 Hz

3. BLOOD FLOW

Effect of blood flow is believed to be due to

Effects of suction electrodes on tissues
Effects of muscle stimulation on circulation
Deep tissue penetration stimulates parasympathetic nerve fibers for increased
blood flow.
4. OEDEMA

Local muscle contraction combined with its local vascular changes encourages the
reabsorption of
Tissue fluid.
The use of suction electrodes may also be beneficial
 Therapeutic effects
Pain Relief – A frequency of 100HZ reduces pain effectively by
closing the gait to pain
stimulation of large diameter afferents .
e.g. Osteoarthritis , LBP , Frozen shoulder ,
rheumatic arthritis , spondylosis , neuralgia
etc.

Edema – AMF – 1- 10 HZ generally used. It activates the

musculoskeletal pump to
activate lymphatic and venous return. 100HZ cause
vasodilation to reduce edema
e.g. – edema of foot
Stress incontinence – Male – stress incontinence following prostatectomy
2 electrodes placed on either side of gluteal cleft,
under ischial tuberosities anterior to anus.
Female – women following multiple vaginal delivery,
Older age during coughing , One electrode
under both ischial tuberosities and one over
anterior perineum.
• Muscle injury
• Muscle stimulation – Prevents muscle wastage , re- education ,
10 – 15 Hz rhythmic, they produce stimulation
deep innervated muscle tissue.
• Ligament injury
 INDICATIONS
1. Pain Relief in conditions such as causalgia,
2. herpes zoster,
3. neuralgia.
4. Cervical spondylosis.
5. Osteoarthritis of the knee.
6. Ankylosing spondylitis
7. Rheumatoid arthritis.
8. Frozen shoulder.
9. Disc herniation.
10. Spinal canal stenosis.
11. Incontinence
12. Reduction of Edema
13. Muscle injuries
14. Ligamentous injuries
CONTRA-INDICATIONS
PRECAUTIONS OF IFT
• IFT apparatus must be 6 meters away from the
SWD machine.
• Abnormal skin sensation.
• For patients with febrile conditions outcome of
the first treatment must be monitored.
• Patients with epilepsy, advanced cardio
vascular conditions or cardiac arrhythmias
should be treated in the direction of the
physiotherapist.
• Treatment which involves placement of
electrodes over the anterior chest wall.
THANK YOU