INTERFERENTIAL THERAPY

,
RUSSIAN CURRENT
&
AUSSIE CURRENT

DR. Abdulla Abdeen

Interferential therapy (IF)
two of medium frequency currents,
passed through the tissues simultaneously,
interfere with each other.
This interference gives rise to an interference or beat
frequency which has the characteristics of low
frequency stimulation.
The skin impedance at 50Hz is approximately 3200Ώ
whilst at 4000Hz it is reduced to approximately 40Ώ.
indications for IFT:
 Pain relief.
 Muscle stimulation.
 Increase in blood flow.
 Reduce swelling.
Contraindications of interferential therapy:
 Patients who do not comprehend
 Patients who are taking anticoagulation therapy or have a history of pulmonary
embolism or deep vein thrombosis should not be treated with vacuum electrode
applications.
 Similarly, patients whose skin may be easily damaged or bruised.
 Application over:
o The trunk or pelvis during pregnancy.
o Active or suspected malignancy except in hospice care
o The eyes
o The anterior aspect of the neck
o The carotid sinuses
 Patients with pacemakers.
 Dermatological conditions e.g. dermatitis, broken skin.
 Danger of hemorrhage or current tissue bleeding (e.g. recent soft tissue injury).
 Avoid active epiphyseal regions in children.
Types of electrodes:
1- Carbon rubber Electrodes
2- Vacuum Electrodes (suction cup):
 made from a vacuum unit plugged into a rubber suction cup connected to a
machine capable of producing a vacuum, they’re really plated electrodes
kept in position by a vacuum instead of bandaging.
 the suction should not be constant because can be uncomfortable and causes
bruising
 wet sponges are placed in the cups and moisten the edges of the cups for
better adherence,
 Are excellent for treating large flat smooth areas for example the back.
 There may be anatomical areas that are less accessible and, in these cases,
the suction option may be advantageous.
The suction has been claimed to stimulate cutaneous nerves and cause
vasodilatation.
 Mechanism of cutaneous nerve stimulation and vasodilatation

Nerves will accommodate a constant signal & a sweep (or gradually changing frequency)
is often used to overcome this problem (as well as generating a range of effects). The sweep
(range) should be appropriate to the desired physiological effects, though again it is
suggested that an excessive range may minimize the clinical effect.

The mode of delivery of the selected sweep varies with machines. The most common
application is the 6-second rise and fall between the pre-set frequencies.
For example, if a 10-25 Hz range has been selected, the machine will deliver a changing
frequency, starting at 10 Hz, rising to 25 Hz over a 6 second period. Once this upper limit
has been achieved, the frequency will once again fall, over a 6 second period to its starting
point at 10 Hz. This pattern is repeated throughout the treatment session.
Electrode placement:

1. Bipolar technique >>> longitudinal zone

2. Quadripolar >>> isolated tissue area
N.B.
 Bipolar interferential current is produced inside the machine (AMF is
produced exogenously); hence there is increased skin impedance. Thus, it
is used to treat localized areas or smaller areas.
 This technique does not penetrate the tissues as deeply as quadripolar
application and there tends to be more sensory sensation than with four
pole technique, although still less than with low-frequency stimulation.
 A bipolar technique is preferable if a longitudinal zone requires stimulation
rather than an isolated tissue area.
 When muscle contraction is the goal of treatment bipolar electrode
placement is used.
 Adding another set of electrodes will create a three-dimensional flower effect called a
stereo dynamic effect and this allows for a larger treatment area.
The application methods are as follows:
 Pain-point or trigger-point application.
 Nerve application
 Para-vertebral application
 Trans regional application
 Muscular application; stimulation of pelvic floor
muscles
Duration of Treatment:
- In acute conditions, shorter treatment times of 5-10 minutes may be sufficient to achieve
the effect.
- In other circumstances, it may be necessary to stimulate the tissues for 20-30 minutes.

Frequency of applying the treatment

In most cases, treatment every other day (3 times a week), usually 12 sessions of an
application are made consecutively.
Principles of clinical application:
- Educate the patient about the interferential current.
- Check that there are no contraindications.
- Evaluate the sensations like touch, pain, and temperature.
- Position the patient comfortably with the area to be treated adequately
supported, exposed, and relaxed.
- Prepare the skin to avoid resistance by washing and warming the skin and
shaving the hair.
- Accurately locate the site of lesion to be treated and mark the out the
position of electrode placement.
- Optimal positioning of electrodes (Diagonal pattern), that the crossing
points of the two currents lie above or around the affected part.
- Don’t place the electrodes on cuts, abrasions, open wounds or scratches.
Soak the sponges or the pads in 1%saline solution or in water. The pads must be evenly moist and not dripping wet.
- Use equal size electrodes.
- Apply enough and comfortable vacuum during vacuum electrodes to prevent hematoma or ecchymosis. Make sure
that there is no discomfort or pinching sensation from the suction cup.
- Instruct the patient not to touch leads and apparatus during the treatment.
- Connect the electrodes to the machine through the quadripolar lead unit if the quadripolar technique is used.
- Select the appropriate treatment parameters
- The suitable frequency current should be given for different conditions.
- Select the base frequency and upper frequency, the difference between them would give the spectrum.
- Always turn the intensity dial to zero before beginning the treatment.
- Once the treatment is started, increase the intensity until the desired result is produced.
- Ask the patient to tell you what he feels (prickling sensation occurring at the site of the lesion), if not it will be
necessary to turn off the intensity and adjust the electrodeposition.
- It may be necessary after 3 or 4 minutes to give the patient a little more intensity.
- Make sure that there is no
 Increase of the presenting symptoms of pain or tenderness.
 Feeling of heat or burning sensation.
 Intense, uncomfortable prickling sensation.
- After the treatment is terminated, check the skin for any adverse reactions.
- Keep a full record of the treatment.
Russian current

a 2500 Hz evenly alternating medium frequency current applied as a

series of separate bursts. It is delivered in rectangular bursts with a
burst frequency of 50 Hz and a burst duty cycle of 50%.
Indication, contraindication, and practical application of
Russian current
Russian is one form of NMES that is used mainly to
increase the strength of skeletal muscles. Its indication,
contraindication, and practical application are the same as
Biphasic pulsed current.

The only indication for use of Russian current is

to strengthen the muscular system of healthy
and athletic persons. Post-knee ligaments
surgery , post-arthroscopic knee surgery, and
following ligament sprain
Contraindications
1. Over the anterior cervical area
2. Over the trnasthorcic area
3. Over the lumbar or abdominal area during pregnany
4. Over hemorrhagic area
5. Over neoplastic area
6. Over metallic and electronic implant
7. Over area of impaired skin sensation
Parameters:
Type: polyphasic alternating medium frequency current.
Frequency: 2500 Hz.
Pulse duration: from 50 to 250 usec : the phase duration will be half of the
pulse duration or 25 to 125 usec. As the pulse frequency increases, the pulse
duration decreases.
Waveforms: There are two basic waveforms, a sine wave and a square wave
cycle with a fixed interpulse interval. •10ms ON : 10 ms OFF (50% duty
cycle)
• Stimulation delivered thus for 10 seconds
•Rest period of 50 seconds
•Repeated 10 min/session.
•Daily
•Maximum tolerable intensity
N.B.
Russian current component probably has a greater
effect on the Type II (fast) fibers, the voluntary
exercise component may have its dominant effect on
the slower (Type I) fibers, thus an improved overall
result
Clinical application • This current can be applied in
the usual way of electrical stimulation used to
stimulate muscle contraction using electrodes applied
over the muscle belly (motor point).
Aussie Current
a 1 kHz frequency burst modulated alternating current
(BMAC) defined by the parameters; 1-kHz AC, 50-Hz bursts
of 4ms duration and a 20% duty cycle. Aussie Current is
used as a method of muscle strengthening by electrical
stimulation