What does IFC mean?
Interferential Current Therapy
What are the advantages of IFC?
Penetrate the skin easier die to reduced skin impedance
Bypasses the superficial sensory nerves
BEAT- can be selected for muscle strengthening and pain reduction
Allows you to decrease meds
Non-addictive and minimal side effects
Patients can manage their own pain
What are the indications of IFC?
Very deep pain
Decreased circulation
Edema
Muscle rehab/ urinary incontinence
What are the clinical applications of IFC?
Pain, edema, inflammation, urinary incontinence, muscle weakness
Back pain, arthritis, strains and sprains, neuralgia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, shingles, DJD, interstitial cystitis
What does the term BEAT mean?
beat current is where the two alternating currents intersect
“The beat of sound that can be heard when 2 acoustic waves of different frequencies interfere with each other”
What frequency of IFC delivers the therapeutic effect?
3000-5000 Hz of the two currents
Beat should be 1-200 beats per second
What is the difference between Premodulated IFC and Quadripolar IFC?
Premodulated IFC is when the interference occurs within the machine
Quadripolar IFC is when the interference occurs within the tissue
How does IFC differ from TENS and other electrotherapy modalities?
IFC modulates at a higher frequency than TENS
IFC reaches deeper pain and over a larger volume of tissue
Home units of IFC are much more costly
What are the different applications of IFC?
Bipolar- feature on IFC machines
Quadripolar
Quadripolar (with automatic vector scan, with sweep or with swing)
What is meant by SCAN and SWEEP with IFC current?
SCAN- amplitude modulation of input currents; electrical field rotates or scan back and forth in tissues (similar to agitator in a washing machine)
SWEEP (continuous)- results in a beat frequency that progressively increases and decreased between the lowest and highest beat frequency selected
SWEEP (peak to peak) - decrease frequency over 2 seconds and then increase continuously over the next two seconds; prevents accommodation
What are the contraindications for IFC?
Over: lower abdomincal, lumbosacral, pelvic areas during pregnancy; transthoracic area; transcranial area; hemorrhagic area; arterial and venous thrombosis; malignancy
With all types of electronic implants
Where active motion is contraindicated
How should applied treatment of IFC be documented?
Type of machine Electrode number and placement Frequency applies Sweep settings employed (if applicable) Current intensity applied (or patient reported sensation) Treatment duration Position of patient during treatment Body part treated
