INTERFERENTIAL

THERAPY

Archana Shetty
Lecturer
Alvas college of Physiotherapy
 CONTENTS
◉ Introduction
◉ Principles of production
◉ Beat frequency
◉ Methods of application
◉ Parameters
◉ Types of electrodes and positioning of electrodes
◉ Physiological effects
◉ Indication and contraindication
◉ References
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 INTRODUCTION
◉ It was developed by Dr. Hans Nemec in the early 1950’s
◉ It described as the transcutaneous application of two alternating
medium frequency electrical currents of around 4000Hz, slight
out of phase, produce an amplitude modulated at low frequency for
therapeutic purposes

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 Why interferential therapy

◉ Greater penetration

◉ Higher tolerance

◉ Comfort over low frequency current

◉ Can used for pain relief as well as for muscle

stimulation

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 IFT over Low frequency current
◉ The problem associated with application of low frequency
current like faradic and sinusoidal current is very high skin
impedance that results in pain thereby discomfort

◉ When low frequency current (50-60Hz) is applied skin

resistance is 3200Ω

◉ When medium frequency current (4000Hz) applied skin

resistance becomes 40Ω 5
 PRINCIPLE OF PRODUCTION
◉ The Interferential therapy depends upon the principles of
Interferential effect of two medium frequency currents
crossing in the patient’s tissues.
◉ One of the medium frequency current is kept constant at
4000Hz
◉ The other current is varied between 3900-4100Hz
◉ The point of interference or the point of intersection of
currents produces a low frequency current

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◉ This point of interference effects a beat frequency
(treatment frequency) which is equal to the difference
between two medium frequency currents

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 BEAT FREQUENCY
◉ Beat frequency = frequency of (channel A – channel B)
◉ Also called as amplitude modulated frequency or
frequency of treatment
◉ Produce at the point of intersection
◉ Can be varied by varying the frequency of second
channel
◉ If the two medium frequencies remain constant the beat
frequency will also be constant

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 FREQUENCY SWEEP PATTERN
◉ The current at constant frequency may lead to a gradually
diminishing response due to habituation of tissues to
particular current and also considered to stimulate
different nerve types and diameters during treatment
◉ Both these deficiencies are corrected by continuously
varying the beat frequency.
◉ This is called as Frequency Swing or Frequency sweep
◉ Therefore the IFT machines have one medium frequency
at constant while second channel is variable , this allows a
variable beat frequency
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 METHODS OF APPLICATION
◉ To achieve maximum therapeutic effects, following
methods of IFT production are used

1. Static Interference

2. Dynamic Interference

3. Bipolar Interference

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1. STATIC INTERFERENCE
◉ Here the area in which IFT is set up remains stationary
◉ This area of static interference gives an appearance of
“Clover leaf”
◉ It lies to 45° angles to the perpendicular lines from each
electrodes

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2. DYNAMIC INTERFERENCE
◉ This is moving area of interference current in a to and fro
manner through 45° angles
◉ It is obtained by varying the current intensity from 50 to
100%
◉ The dynamic area of interference is also called as vector
sweep or rotating vector

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3. BIPOLAR INTERFERENCE
◉ Here pre-modulated IFT are applied through 2 surface
electrodes
◉ IFT is generated inside the equipment and is delivered to the
patient through 2 electrodes
◉ Useful for smaller areas

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 PARAMETERS OF IFT
◉ The various therapeutic effects of interferential
current would depend upon the selection of
following parameters
1. Intensity
2. Duration
3. Area to be treated

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1. INTENSITY
◉ Intensity of current should be gradually increased till
patient feels comfortable tingling sensation
2. DURATION
◉ 10- 30 minutes
◉ For acute cases – relatively low intensity with short
period of time and short intervals may be given daily or
two times per day
◉ For sub-acute / chronic cases – relatively high intensity
with a longer treatment time may be given to four times
per week
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 TYPES OF ELECTRODES
◉ IFT is applied by means of electrodes, which may be
malleable metal or carbon rubber electrodes
◉ Carbon rubber electrodes are secured by rubber straps or
alternately by suction
◉ Metal electrode mounted inside the cups are connected by
wires carried within the tubes to interferential source
◉ Contact is made by moistened sponges placed inside the
cups between the metal electrodes and skin

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1. PLATE ELECTRODE
◉ Made of conducting rubber which are comfortable and long
lasting
◉ Larger plates electrodes give more comfortable treatment and
deeper effect
◉ Smaller electrodes are used for a localized effect, but this
effect is more superficial
◉ Attached to the patient by means of straps to assure a good
contact and greater tolerance of treatment

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2. VACUUM ELECTRODES
◉ Excellent for treating flat smooth areas for example back
or a plump knee
◉ Not indicated for treatment of the hairy areas because
can’t get an airtight seal

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3. OTHER TYPES
a) Combination of plate and vacuum – on most
interferential unit which have a vacuum unit, it is possible
to combine plate and vacuum electrodes (2 plate electrodes
and 2 vacuum electrodes)
b) Glove electrode – the use of this electrode is effective in
certain cases because it is easily shifted in the course of
treatment

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c) Pen or point electrode – these electrodes are most suitable
for point stimulation. Positioning of electrode placed
directly over the target area

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 STEPS TO APPLY IFT

1. The patient should be suitably positioned ensuring

maximum comfort and suitable exposure of the part for the
application of interferential current
2. Prepare the area to be treated. The skin should be inspected
and then cleansed to reduce the skin impedance
3. The points where electrodes are to be placed should be
marked
4. The size of electrode is selected depending on the affected
area
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5. The electrodes should be applied on the marked
points and held in position firmly with the help of
straps. The parameters on the machine should be
selected and set
6. The patient should be explained about the
subjective sensory motor feeling, which he will
experience
7. The intensity gradually and uniformly increased to
low, moderate and high levels depending upon the
stage and nature of disorder
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8. Patient should be explained to immediately inform if any
unpleasant sensation or discomfort

9. Therapist should slowly reduce the intensity to zero when

treatment is done

10. After removing the electrodes, the part should be inspected

and the transitory erythema effect may be explained to
patient

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POSITIONING OF
ELECTRODES
NECK PLACEMENT

BACK PLACEMENT
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SHOULDER JOINT PLACEMENT

ELBOW JOINT PLACEMENT 28

KNEE JOINT PLACEMENT

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GLUTEAL PLACEMENT GLUTEAL ALONG WITH
LEG PLACEMENT 30
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PHYSIOLOGICAL
EFFECTS
1. RELIEF OF PAIN
◉ This is the most important effect and can be achieved by
several mechanisms ;

a) The pain gate theory – stimulation of large diameter afferent

nerve fibers closes the gate to nociceptive impulse.
◉ Impulses of very short duration at a frequency of 100Hz
should selectively stimulate large diameter fibers

b) Physiological block – high frequency above 50Hz could cause

a temporary physiological block in A-delta and C fibers
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c) Increased circulation – IFT has been claimed to improve
the circulation of blood which removes chemical irritants
acting on pain nerve ending

d) Placebo effects

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2. MUSCLE CONTRACTION
◉ The lower beat frequency stimulates motor nerves leading to
contraction of voluntary muscle and smooth muscle
◉ Muscle contraction can be quite strong without any discomfort
because there is little skin effect

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3. VASODILATATION
◉ Stimulation of the sympathetic ganglia with 100Hz
produces reflex vasodilatation and is valuable in the
treatment of causalgia.
◉ Skin temperature increases of 2-3° are possible

4. EFFECTS ON CELL METABOLISM

◉ Interferential current when applied, alters the
intracellular concentration of enzymes and other
molecules that are important for many metabolic
processes
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INDICATIONS OF
IFT
1. PAIN RELIEF

◉ Causalgia • Epicondylitis

◉ Phantom limb pain • Sprain

◉ Tendinitis • Strain

◉ Fibrositis • Arthritis

◉ Bursitis • Rotator cuff lesion

• Low back pain

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2. REDUCE EDEMA

3. DELAYED UNION AND SUDEK’S ATROPHY

–
◉ Using a constant 100Hz with a moderately
strong dosage for 15-20 mins for 2-3 weeks
daily

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4. HAEMATOMA
◉ During first 24hours, 100Hz constant, together with ice packs
is useful for resolution of haematoma

5. GYNAECOLOGICAL CONDITION
◉ Rhythmic modes of 0-100 Hz and 90-100Hz have been
reported to be beneficial with anterior and posterior
placement of electrodes so that pelvic can crosses in the
pelvis

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6. STRESS INCONTINENCE
◉ The electrodes are to be placed anteriorly on the
lower abdomen and posteriorly on upper medial
aspect of the thighs with patient in half lying
position

7. CONTRACTURES

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 CONTRAINDICATION
1. Arterial disease – IFT is contraindicated because it could produce emboli

2. Deep vein thrombosis – in acute stage IFT increases the inflammation

3. Acute infection – it may exacerbate and provoke the further spread of

infection

4. pregnancy

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5. Hemorrhage – IFT produce contraction of skeletal as well
as smooth muscles, it may enhance bleeding in hemorrhagic
condition so it should be avoided

6. Pacemakers – it may affects or alters the functioning of a

pacemaker so it should be avoided

7. Malignant tumours – as there is possibility of accelerating

metastasis, it should be avoided

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 DANGERS OF IFT
1. Burn
2. Increased pain
3. General malaise
4. Nausea
5. Dizziness
6. Headache
7. Neurological effects

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 REFERENCES
1. Helpline Electrotherapy for Physiotherapists : Virendra Kr.
Khokhar
2. Electrotherapy Simplified : Basanta Kumar Nanda (2nd
edition)
3. Textbook of Electrotherapy : Jagmohan Singh (2nd edition)
4. Clayton’s Electrotherapy; Theory and Practice : Angela Foster
(9th edition)

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THANK YOU