Interferential Current Therapy (IFT)

Overview:

• It is a form of Electrotherapy treatment in which electric currents are used to stimulate tissue, resulting in numerous health benefits, including the reduction of swelling and pain.

• The idea behind interferential current therapy is to create interference between two medium frequency currents that are slightly at different frequencies.

• It is primarily used to treat post-surgical, post-traumatic, and chronic pain.

• Using a variety of frequencies, Interferential Current stimulates the body to produce favorable effects, such as improving local blood flow, which speeds up the healing process.

• The most significant benefit of Interferential Current is that it stimulates tissue just where it needs to be, avoiding uncomfortable or unnecessary skin stimulation.

• This method is often used to stimulate muscle contraction, encourage healing, and reduce edema.

What is interferential current therapy ?

A non-invasive treatment for tissue repair and pain relief is called interferential therapy (IFT). It works by creating a frequency with low-frequency electrical currents that are designed to stop pain signals from reaching the brain. An interferential current is the term for this frequency. Interferential Current is used together with a comprehensive rehabilitation program to help promote tissue healing and reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms.

Interferential current principles:

Interferential therapy makes use of two of these medium frequency currents that are simultaneously passed through the tissues. They are arranged so that their paths cross and they literally interfere with one another; this approach is also known as interference current therapy, though it seems to be out of favor right now. This interaction results in an interference current, also known as a beat frequency, that resembles a low frequency stimulation and has the properties of low frequency stimulation.

Any beat frequency that you might want to use clinically can be achieved by carefully adjusting the input currents. While some modern machines offer a choice of up to 250Hz or more, most offer frequencies between 1 and 150Hz. The therapist only needs to focus on selecting the right beat frequency, which comes directly from the machine, rather than worrying too much about the input frequencies.

In theory, the low frequency interference current’s magnitude is about equal to the total number of the input amplitudes. While conclusively showing this in the tissues is challenging, it makes sense to believe that the output current will be greater than the two input currents.

Electronic current manipulation allows for the use of 2 pole Interferential Current stimulation; interference takes place inside the machine rather than in the tissues. The physiological effects of Interferential Current produced with two or four electrode systems are identical. The primary difference is that in a two-pole treatment, the current is “pre modulated,” meaning that the interference is created inside the machine unit, whereas in a four-pole application, the interference is created in the tissues.

The treatment effect stems from low frequency stimulation, mainly affecting the peripheral nerves, regardless of how it is produced. Though they haven’t been conclusively shown yet, there may be a considerable impact on tissue other than nerves.

Physiological side effect of interferential current:

Although it is frequently used, a physiotherapist should be able to apply interferential therapy correctly for the patient’s condition. The important physiological effects of low frequency (<250pps) electrical nerve stimulation are used in interferential therapy.

• lessens inflammation and reduce pain.
• Promotes better blood flow.
• Eliminates waste materials from the impacted area.
• Boosts the rate of metabolism.
• Promotes better joint mobility that is restricted.
• Lowers blood pressure.
• Handles long-term ligamentous lesions.
•  Treats hematoma and edema.

Types of interferential therapeutic current:

• Vector effect

The interference field has a wider coverage area because it rotates at an angle of 450 degrees in each direction. This is useful in situations where the lesion’s exact place cannot be determined, such as in diffuse pathology cases.

• Frequency swings

Certain equipment permits the frequency swing’s speed to be altered. A rhythmic mode can swing continuously in a 5–10 s period from 0 to 100 Hz and back in a similar amount of time, or it can hold for 1–6 s at one frequency and then swing between it and another frequency in a variable amount of time.

• Constant frequency

The interference may be fixed at a specific frequency for certain treatments. If multiple tissue types need to be treated simultaneously, rhythmic frequency can be helpful. A change in frequency also solves the issue of tissue accommodation, which happens when a specific tissue’s response progressively becomes less responsive.

• Sweep frequency

The idea behind the sweep is that the machine is programmed to automatically adjust the frequency of stimulation, using either user- or pre-programmed sweep ranges. The intended physiological effects should be achieved within the sweep range.

Interferential therapy’s parameter:

• Frequency :

90–100 Hz rhythmic or 100–150 Hz stable:

• These frequencies can help with pain management.
• IFT blocks small pain fibers by acting on large myelinated fibers in the dorsal horn.
• The endogenous opiates in the midbrain, which block pain, are activated by higher frequencies.

Rhythmic at 0–10 Hz or 10–50 Hz:

• Muscle stimulation can benefit from these frequency ranges.
• With minimal sensory stimulation, they cause deep, normally innervated muscle tissue to be stimulated.
• The contraction transitions from a minor movement to a massive contraction as the frequency rises.

Rhythmic, 0-100 Hz:

• The frequency range causes vasodilatation.
• This causes the vessel walls to contract and relax, creating an annular effect.

Current :

• It is under the therapist’s control.
• corresponding to the total of the two independent currents.
• The patient experiences tingling as the current is increased.
• The intensity increases to the point of muscle stimulation as lodging takes place.

Treatment duration:

• Ten to twenty minutes.
• Usually used for ten minutes

How is Interferential Therapy to be Used?

• Little electrical stimulation is applied to the body’s injured tissues as part of the process of interferential current therapy.
• The goal of the treatment is to improve the body’s inherent capacity to respond to pain by increasing circulation, which releases hormones which help in healing.
• By delivering continuous deep stimulation into the affected tissue, IFT uses intermittent pulses to stimulate surface nerves and block the pain signal.
• The transmission of small-diameter nociceptive traffic (C and A-delta fiber), which basically closes the gait to painful impulses, may be inhibited at a frequency of 100 Hz. This may stimulate the large diameter A-beta fibers, which influence the pain gate.
• Current interference increases blood flow, which in turn reduces swelling by removing the compounds that irritate sensations of pain nerve endings.

Interferential therapy electrode types:

Electrodes on plates:

• Constructed from conductive rubber
• long-lasting and cozy
• Deeper effect = larger plates electrodes
• Smaller electrode plates result in a localized and superficial effect.
• Fastened with a strap for reliable contact

Electrodes in a vacuum:

• A manufactured-form vacuum unit is plugged into a machine’s rubber suction cup.
• Applying suction continuously can be uncomfortable and result in burning.
• Put wet spongers in the cup and moisten the edges for improved conformity.
• For outstanding care, use a smooth, level area (such as a plump knee or back).
• Apply not to hairy areas as they cannot form an airtight seal.

Positioning electrodes for interferential therapy:

• Use electrodes (two pairs), each indicated by a coloring wire from the machine, for interferential therapy.
• Two red electrodes and two black electrodes are used.
• Therefore, a single black electrode and one red electrode make up a pair.
• Each pair’s electrodes are positioned diagonally across from one another.
• In order for the tissue to produce that beat frequency where it is needed.

Evaluation of the device for interferential therapy:

• Placed four electrodes in the proper positions on the plinth first.
• The hand should then be placed in the middle of the electrodes.
• Next, turn up the intensity and feel the current.

Method of Interferential Therapy Treatment:

• Comfortable position for the patient.
• Wash your skin, then apply the gel to any spots.
• Place the electrode on the treatment site after that.
• Tell the patient to inform the therapist if they experience any tingling.
• Lower the intensity at that point.

Application technique for interferential therapy:

• Static interference

In the region where IFT was placed, stay still.
Static interference results in a clover leaves appearance.
is situated at a 45-degree angle to each electrode’s perpendicular line.

• Dynamic interference

This is causing the interference current to shift from one place to another across 45.
Changing the intensity and current from 50% to 100%.
Other names for it include rotating vector, vector sweep, and vector scan.

• Bipolar interference :

IFT utilized: via surface , electro applied current to the electrodes , For a small space

Interferential therapy dosage:

• For reducing pain: 80–100 Hz
• To lessen edema = 1–10 Hz
• For contractions of partial tetany, 5–20 Hz
• For contractions of symptoms = 30–100 Hz
• Use for ten to fifteen minutes.

Interferential therapy indication:

• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Frozen shoulder.
• Disc herniation.
• Spinal canal stenosis.
• Muscle injuries
• Ligaments injuries
• Stress incontinence
• Cervical spondylosis.
• Osteoarthritis of the knee.
• Ankylosing spondylitis

Interferential therapy contraindications:

• Large open wounds
• Dermatological Conditions
• Pregnant Uterus
• Hemorrhage
• Hypertension
• Thrombosis
• lack of sensations.
• Infectious disease 
• Pacemakers
• Fever

Who Can Take Advantage of IFT?

For musculoskeletal problems, Interferential Therapy (IFT) is a safe and effective therapeutic choice. Here are a few situations of people who may benefit from IFT therapy;

• People in Chronic Pain

For people with chronic pain conditions like  osteoarthritis, or persistent low back pain, Interferential Therapy can be a very successful treatment option.

• People who are dealing with joint pain

Interferential Therapy can help treat joint pain problems like rheumatoid arthritis by controlling pain and lowering inflammation.

• Elderly

For seniors recovering from surgery or experiencing age-related pain and stiffness, Interferential Therapy can be a helpful treatment option.

• People with acute Injuries

IFT is useful for treating acute injuries like sprains, strains, and fractures by reducing pain and speeding up healing.

It’s important to remember that not everyone should use Interferential Therapy. To find out if Interferential Therapy is a good course of treatment for their particular condition, patients should speak with their doctor.

Interferential therapy’s Role in Pain Management:

Interferential therapy helps in reducing inflammation, which can decrease a person’s experience with pain. It may reduce pain caused on by both acute and long-term illnesses, such as plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and arthritis. Adding interferential therapy  into a comprehensive rehabilitation program can also help minimize pain and speed the healing process.

Uses and Advantages of interferential therapy;

The benefits of Interferential therapy in Physiotherapy are many. IFT machines use beat frequency currents to help activate muscle contraction. Second, they relieve the pain-transmitting nerves.

• Supplying prompt pain relief for deep tissue injuries.
• Muscle contractions that are continuous produce relaxing effects. Our blood circulation improves when our spasmodic muscles relax.
• Faster soft tissue repair is a result of improved blood circulation.
• The contraction of muscles minimizes bruising, inflammation, and swelling.
• Patients’ metabolic rates are improved by increasing muscle stimulation.
• Lower blood pressure is also a result of improved blood circulation.
• This non-invasive therapy makes treating painful and chronic ligament injuries more manageable.
• Long-term joint movement restrictions are also removed by continuous physiotherapy using IFT machines.
• IFT physiotherapy after surgery help patients in regaining lost muscle movement.

Conditions Treated by interferential therapy:

Several painful conditions can benefit from IFT physiotherapy. A number of them include the following:

• Cervical Spondylosis

Degenerative osteoarthritis of the neck and spine can be cured with interferential therapy for shoulder pain. It helps patients with muscle spasms and progressively lessens their pain the limit.

• Ankylosing Spondylitis

Inflammatory arthritis in the vertebrae can be treated with interferential therapy for shoulder pain. The frequencies stop waste from growing in areas where there are wounds. A broken vertebra heals more quickly.

• Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Frequent interferential therapy  relaxes the tendons surrounding the knee. Additionally, the frequencies encourage the release of endorphins, which speeds up the healing of irritated tendons and muscles.

• Edema

When a patient has this illness, their tissues contain an excessive amount of watery fluid. Extra fluid is removed from the tissues by the IFT treatment frequencies’ vibrations. These fluids also leave the affected areas more quickly when there is improved circulation.

Other common conditions treated with IFT physiotherapy include disc herniation, spinal canal stenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, frozen shoulder (chronic shoulder pain), and all kinds of ligamentous and muscle injury.

Risk of interferential current therapy:

• The electrodes, electrode covers, and other components of the machine require careful maintenance by users.
• The risks associated with infection must also be known to them.
• Don’t use your IFT machine on more than one person.
• Make use of bigger electrode systems. Small electrodes present a challenge for electrode positioning. Big electrodes guarantee that injured body parts are adequately covered for stimulation.
• Patients who use IFT machines with closely spaced electrodes frequently experience superficial tissue irritation.
• Higher stimulation frequencies quickly pass through the skin during interferential therapy . Higher electrical energy input is needed for lower frequencies. They can’t get to the deeper tissues. The skin and superficial tissues become uncomfortable as a result of the currents; the less uncomfortable the currents are, the higher the stimulation frequency.
• Skin electrical burns
  

FAQ:

References:

• March 9, 2023: Brahmbhatt, B. Pain Management and Reduction with Interferential Therapy (IFT). Physio Tattva. https://www.physiotattva.com/therapies/interferential-therapy-ift#:~:text=Interferential%20Therapy%20(IFT)%20is%20a,an%20interferential%20current%20or%20IFC. Reference inside text: (Brahmbhatt, 2023)
• Interferential therapy, or IFT,: What is it? Which diseases is Interferential Therapy (IFT) used to treat? Who is Interferential Therapy (IFT) intended to help? (As of now). Interferential therapy (IFT) is one of the therapies offered by CB Physiotherapy.
  Reference inside text: (Explain Interferential Therapy (IFT)? Which Conditions Does Interferential Therapy (IFT) Treat? Who Can Gain From IFT (Interferential Therapy)?, n.d.)
• N. P., the physiotherapist (2023, December 13). The Basic Principle and Indication of Interferential Therapy (IFT). https://mobilephysiotherapyclinic.in/interferential-therapy-ift/ is the website for the Mobile Physiotherapy Clinic.
  Citation inside the text:
  In 2023, the physiotherapist
• Image 1, Russian current-equipped Interferential Therapy Unit. (n.d). IndiaMart.com. Interferential therapy unit with Russian current (10075465912.html) can be found at https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail.
• Image 2, IFT/TENS Rubber Electrode. (n.d.). IndiaMart.com. Rubber electrode for ift tens (20087212333.html) is the product detail on https://m.indiamart.com.
  Reference inside text: (IFT/TENS Rubber Electrode, n.d.)
• Image 3, BTL VAC II – Physio Care Vacuum Therapy (2023, November 17). https://physiocare.in/product/vacuum-therapy-btl-vac-ii/ Physio Care
  In-text Citation: (Physio Care, 2023) Vacuum Therapy BTL VAC II