Medium Frequency Currents

MEDIUM FREQUENCY
CURRENTS
prepared: DR. JUNAID
TEACHING ASSISTANT IPM&R KMU
DEFINITION
 Medium frequency currents are the currents

whose frequency falls between the range of
1000 to 10000 Hz.
 They are being used therapeutically due to

their advantage of greater penetration and
with a higher tolerance and comfort over the
low frequency current.
TYPES
 Rebox-type Current
 Russian Currents
 Interferential Currents
REBOX-TYPE CURRENTS
 Rebox–type currents are derived from a device called

Rebox. It was developed in Czechoslovakia in the 1970s.
 This system can be linked to a computer for display of

graph of current.
 Specific impulses (frequency 2–4 kHz) of weak electric

currents (100-200 μA) are introduced to the affected
region with a touch of a small non-invasive treatment
electrode (cathode)
 while the patient holds a second reference electrode
(anode) in a hand to complete electric circuit.
 The treatment electrode is applied for 2–3 seconds in

one spot, then proceeding approx. 1,5 cm to another
point.
 About 20 points are treated per one session. Frequency

of treatment sessions is individual for each patient
Indications
 Acute and chronic pain

 Immobility
 Wound Healing
 Neurological disorders
 Edema
RUSSIAN CURRENTS
 Russian currents are evenly alternating currents with a

frequency of 2500 Hz (between 2000–10000 Hz).
 These are applied with a series of separate bursts, i.e.

polyphasic AC waveforms . There are thus 50 periods
of 20 ms duration consisting of 10 ms burst and 10 ms
interval.
 Each 10 ms burst contains 25 cycles of alternating

current.
 These bursts reduces the total amount of current
given to the patient thus increases patients tolerance.
 The other factor affecting patients tolerance is the

effect of frequency on the patients tissue.
 MEDIUM frequency current reduces the resistance to

the current flow again making this type of waveform
comfortable enough that the patient may tolerate
with higher intensities.
RUSSIAN CURRENTS
Indications
 The only indication for use of Russian current

is to strengthening the muscular system of
healthy and athletic persons :
 Post-knee ligaments surgery

 Post-arthroscopic knee surgery
 Following ligament sprain
INTERFERENTIAL THERAPY
 The principles of interferential therapy were first introduced by Ho Nemec

(an Austrian scientist). Interferential currents are also known as Nemec’s
currents. In this two medium frequency currents are used to produce a low
frequency effect.
 Since direct application of faradic current results in pain due to high

impedance of tissues, so to have a low frequency effect two medium
frequency currents are used.
 Out of these two medium frequency currents one current is always of 4000
Hz because there is minimum impedance generated by the tissues against
this frequency current.
 The other current can be varied accordingly

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF INTERFERENTIAL THERAPY
 The Interferential therapy depends upon the

principles of Interferential effect of two
medium frequency currents crossing in the
patient’s tissues.
 The interference produced by two currents in

the tissues is called the beat frequency.
 For example, let us take two medium frequency
currents, current in circuit A = 4000 Hz and circuit
B = 3900 Hz.
 Where these two currents are applied to the

tissues, at the point where the currents cross over,
a new beat frequency current is set up whose
amplitude is modulated and the frequency of new
current is called beat frequency (interferential
current) and that is 100 Hz
Production of beat frequency by two
medium frequency currents
Methods of Treatment
1. Skin must be clean and clear before the start of the treatment.
2. The part of the body to be treated should be washed and if there is
any skin lesion it should be covered by applying petroleum jelly on it.
3. The electrodes should be placed in such a way that the crossing
point of two currents lie above or around the affected part.
4. The suitable frequency current should be given for different
conditions.
5. Select the spectrum mode rectangular, triangular or trapezoidal as
needed.
6. Select the base frequency and upper frequency, the difference
between upper frequency and base frequency would give the
spectrum.
7. Increase the power gently and cautiously until the
patient starts feeling the current. It can be
increased till the patient can tolerate.
8. After the treatment, adjust the intensity control

to minimum.
9. Switch ‘OFF’ the mains and disconnect the

electrodes.
ADVANTAGES
 The interferential currents do not produce any sensory nerve

irritation, irrespective of amplitude. Their application is free of
any burning sensation on the skin surface as is sometimes
experienced with other low frequency currents which are
disturbing to current sensitive patients.
 A medium frequency alternative current, it is high frequency

and absence of direct current properties, are the most suitable
for treating deeper layers of tissues. It is therefore most useful
in treating tissues at a greater depth. For example, in muscles,
tendons, nerves, bursae and periosteum..
ADVANTAGES
 Resistance of skin is minimum while using

frequencies in the range of 4,000 Hz, and
therefore higher doses can be given to the
body without any discomfort to the skin.
 The current can be localized more effectively

in specific area. Extensive area can also be
covered.
Indications
 Pain – Both case of pain and referred pain- e.g.- Migraine,

Vascular insufficiency, Stump complication, Neuralgia
 Muscle spasm
 Edema
 Hematoma
 Chronic Ligamentous lesion
 Trigger points
 Stress incontinence – contraction of pelvic floor muscle
 Delayed union – in case of fracture to stimulate the union

Medium Frequency Currents

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What are the different types of medium frequency currents discussed?

What are the different types of medium frequency currents discussed?

How does interferential therapy work?

How does interferential therapy work?

MEDIUM FREQUENCY

 Medium frequency currents are the currents

 They are being used therapeutically due to

 Rebox–type currents are derived from a device called

 This system can be linked to a computer for display of

 Specific impulses (frequency 2–4 kHz) of weak electric

 The treatment electrode is applied for 2–3 seconds in

 About 20 points are treated per one session. Frequency

 Acute and chronic pain

 Russian currents are evenly alternating currents with a

 These are applied with a series of separate bursts, i.e.

 Each 10 ms burst contains 25 cycles of alternating

 The other factor affecting patients tolerance is the

 MEDIUM frequency current reduces the resistance to

 The only indication for use of Russian current

 Post-knee ligaments surgery

 The principles of interferential therapy were first introduced by Ho Nemec

 Since direct application of faradic current results in pain due to high

 The other current can be varied accordingly

 The Interferential therapy depends upon the

 The interference produced by two currents in

 Where these two currents are applied to the

8. After the treatment, adjust the intensity control

9. Switch ‘OFF’ the mains and disconnect the

 The interferential currents do not produce any sensory nerve

 A medium frequency alternative current, it is high frequency

 Resistance of skin is minimum while using

 The current can be localized more effectively

 Pain – Both case of pain and referred pain- e.g.- Migraine,

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