Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine

Original Article: J Korean Acad Rehabil Med. 2003;27(4):575-580.; Effect of Interferential Current Therapy of Swing Pattern Frequency Alteration on RIII Nociceptive Reflex.; Joo, Hyung Wook , Kwon, Bum Sun; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Korea. bskwon@dankook.ac.kr

Abstract: OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of interferential current therapy (IFT) of swing pattern frequency alteration on the RIII nociceptive reflex. METHOD: Ten healthy volunteers received IFT of both constant (100 Hz) and swing (20~100 Hz) pattern frequency. Before and after the IFT application RIII nociceptive reflex was evoked by stimulation of sural nerve and recording at biceps femoris muscle. Twenty nine patients with low back pain were treated with IFT of constant or swing pattern frequency and degrees of pain relief were evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Present Pain Intensity (PPI). RESULTS: The threshold of RIII reflex was increased immediately after both constant and swing frequency, but the increased threshold was lasted for 15 minutes only after swing pattern frequency alteration. Pain relieving effect of IFT evaluated by PPI was also lasted for 15 minutes only after swing frequency alteration. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that IFT of swing pattern frequency alteration had longer lasting effect on the inhibition of RIII nociceptive reflex and the relief of pain than that of constant frequency.

Keywords :Electrotherapy;Interferential current;RIII nociceptive reflex;Frequency alteration;Pain