Interferential Therapy

Interferential Therapy
 Interferential therapy is a form of electrical
treatment in which two medium-frequency
currents are used to produce a low-
frequency effect.
 the transcutaneous application of
alternating medium-frequency
electrical currents, which are slightly
out of phase through the tissues,
amplitude modulated at low frequency
for therapeutic purposes such as relief
of pain, improve circulation and
Carreir Currents

Constructive Destructive
Interference Interference

Beat Frequency Cuurent

 skin impedance is inversely proportional to
frequency
 ohmic resistance - a material's opposition to
the flow of electric current; measured in ohms
 Ohmic resistance is developed due to skin and
depends on following factors:
 Ohmic resistance is inversely proportional to the size
of the electrodes used.
 Ohmic resistance is directly proportional to the
dryness of the skin.
 Ohmic resistance is directly proportional to the hairy
 Production of Interferential
Current
 Interferential current is essentially a
medium-frequency current that
rhythmically increases and decreases in
amplitude at low frequency
 The principle upon which interferential
therapy is based is that which produces
the interference effect where two medium
frequency currents cross in the patient’s
tissues.
 Two medium
frequency currents
are used to produce
the interferential
current. They are
known as carrier
waves as they do
not produce muscle
nerve stimulation
and are just used to
get the greater
depth of penetration
and to produce the
 Interferential current is produced by mixing
two medium-frequency currents that are
slightly out of phase, either by applying them
so that they interfere within the tissues, or
alternatively by mixing them within the
stimulator prior to application (premodulated
current).
 Theoretically, the two currents summate or
cancel each other out in a predictable manner,
producing the resultant amplitude-modulated
 The frequency of the resultant current will be
equal to the mean of the two original currents,
and will vary in amplitude at a frequency equal
to the difference between these two currents.
This later frequency is known as the
amplitude-modulated frequency (AMF) or beat
frequency.
 Area of Interference:
 It is the area where interferential current is
set-up. The pattern of the interferential
area may be static or dynamic.
 Amplitude-Modulated Frequency (AMF) or Beat
Frequency:

 AMF is defined as the difference between the

frequencies of the two medium-frequency
currents, which is produced in the tissues at the
point where the two currents cross.
 Amplitude of AMF is always higher than the
amplitude of the two medium-frequency currents.
 Amplitude-Modulated Frequency (AMF) or Beat
Frequency:

 Most IF machines allow a constant AMF to

be selected, e.g. 10,50 or 100 Hz
 This is called Constant or Static mode.
 Some machines allow the AMF to change
automatically & regularly b/w some preset
pair of frequencies over a specified time
period. This is variously called a
Frequency Modulation, swing or Sweep.
Static AMF
 INTERFERNTIAL CURRENT
 Clover leaf pattern is bacically the
theoretical distribution of current in a
homogenous medium
 In reality this neat uniformity cannot takes
place b/c of the heterogeneity of tissues
 This represents the static pattern and
called STATIC AMF.
 This pattern is used for treating smaller
areas
 INTERFERENTIAL CURRENT
 By varying the current intensity in the two
circuits with respect to each other, it is
possible to move the clover leaf pattern to
and fro through 45 degrees, this gives a
more uniform total distribution of the IFC in
the tissues
 This pattern is used for the treatment of
larger areas.
Methods of application
Quadripolar / Bipolar Application
 Interferential currents may be produced
either by applying the two medium
frequency currents via four electrodes
(quadripolar method) so that they intersect
in the tissues, or alternatively by mixing
the two currents in the stimulator prior to
application via two electrodes
(premodulated or bipolar method).
 Quadripolar
 A quadripolar application of interferential
current produces modulated current in a clove
leaf pattern, with leaves set up at right angles
to the two medium frequency currents.
 Quadripolar interferential current is produced
deep inside the tissues (AMF is produced
endogenously); hence there is lowered skin
impedance. Thus it is used to treat larger
areas.
 Bipolar Application
 Bipolar interferential current will be distributed
similarly to conventional electrical stimulation,
with maximal current intensities underneath
the electrodes, progressively decreasing with
distance.
 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
area or smaller areas.
INTERFERENTIAL THERAPY
PHYSIOLOGICAL
OBJECTIVES
 Pain relief both acute and chronic
 Reduction of edema
 re-education and strengthening of
muscle.
 Stimulation and improvement of
circulation
 General facilitation of healing 19
 INTERFERENTIAL THERAPY

 The generally accepted range of

frequency is 0 to 150 Hz, with a low
range from 0 to 10 Hz, commonly
accepted as the appropriate
treatment for increasing local blood
circulation; and a high range from 80
to 150 Hz which is used for pain
relief.
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 INTERFERENTIAL THERAPY
CONTRAINDICATIONS
 Pacemakers
 Thrombosis
 Cardiac Conditions
 Bacterial Infections
 Malignancy

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 INTERFERENTIAL THERAPY
WARNINGS
 Pregnancy
 Implants of any electrical nature
 Transcerebrally
 Skin diseases

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Application in Different
Conditions
OR
 How is IFC different than a TENS unit in
relation to pain reduction?
 TENS (Transcutaneous (through the skin) Nerve Stimulation) is strictly a non-
invasive (any procedure that does not penetrate the skin or a cavity) pain
management tool. TENS stimulates peripheral nerves (the nerves which supply
the musculoskeletal system and surrounding tissues) producing a tingling
sensation that interferes with pain. TENS masks pain by blocking nerve
impulses on the sensory nerve (nerves that convey impulses to the brain and
spinal cord) (Gate Control Theory (the hypothesis that painful stimuli may be
prevented from reaching higher levels of the central nervous system (spinal
cord and/or brain) by stimulation of larger sensory nerves which will block or
prevent the sensory nerves from sending pain signals effectively to the brain).
 TENS, has no other physiological (the normal process of the body as opposed
to abnormal or pathological functions) effect. TENS delivers nerve stimulation
transcutaneously. The increased sensory activity activates cells in the dorsal
(pertaining to the back or lower part of an organ) horn of the spinal cord ,
closing the gate to pain transmission along the fibers that send pain
response’s to the brain. Accommodation (dependency on a device) and
habituation (becoming used to something) with reduced or eventual
noneffectiveness are concerns when TENS is used for an extended period of
time. Since the stimulation parameters (settings or guidelines) are limited or
kept constant, the patient can/will adapt to minimally changing or unchanging
stimulus (anything which excites functional activity in an organ
 or body part). When this happens the TENS unit will no longer be as effective
for the patient, and TENS has no long term curative value.