• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.493-501
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study is to present basic data for appropriate therapeutic intervention by confirming changes in the autonomic nervous system and pain by applying high-frequency deep diathermy to the lower abdomen in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. Design: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Methods: Thirty-eight women aged 18-50 years who complained of regular menstrual cycles (24-32 days) and primary dysmenorrhea symptoms were randomly assigned to a high-frequency therapy group (5, 7, or 9 mins) and a superficial heat therapy group (20 min). High frequency treatment group: The subject was in a supine position, and radio frequency was applied to the lower abdomen below the umbilicus. The radio frequency therapy device used in this study uses a 300 kHz capacitive electrode and a 500 kHz resistive electric transfer to deliver deep heat. Superficial heat treatment Group: Subjects applied a hot pack to the lower abdomen for 20 minutes while lying on their back. Evaluations were made of Heart rate variability and Visual Analogue Scale. Results: In subjects with menstrual pain, there was a significant difference in pain between the high-frequency therapy group and the superficial heat therapy group (p=0.026). However, there was no significant difference between the autonomic nervous system and the stress resistance (p>0.05). Conclusions: As a result of this study, high-frequencytreatment using radiofrequency was effective in relieving pain because it can penetrate deeper tissues than conventional hot packs using superficial heat. In particular, it was found that the optimum effect was obtained when high frequency was applied forfive-seven minutes.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2020

Background: The gastrocnemius (GCM) is one of the lower extremity muscles that tend to tighten easily. GCM tightness results in limited ankle dorsi-flexion (DF), especially when the knee joint is fully extended. Joint flexibility is determined by the morphological and physiological characteristics of joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Impaired joint flexibility can be attributed to increased susceptibility to muscle injury. High-frequency diathermy is clinically used to reduce pain and muscle tightness and to improve limited range of motion. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of high-frequency therapy in subjects with GCM tightness. Methods: The study was designed as a one-group before-after trial. The subjects included 28 volunteers with GCM tightness (an active ankle DF angle of less than 12°) without any known neurological and musculoskeletal pathologies in the ankle and calf areas. WINBACK Transfer Electrode Capacitive and Resistive Therapy equipment was used to apply high-frequency therapy to the subjects' GCMs for 10-15 minutes. The pennation angle and the fascicle length of the GCM were measured using ultrasonography. The flexibility of the ankle joint, peak torque to the passive ankle DF (Biodex), and soft tissue stiffness (MyotonPRO) were also measured. Results: The pennation angle was significantly decreased following the treatment; however, no significant difference in the fascicle length was found (p < 0.05). The flexibility was significantly increased and both the passive peak torque to passive ankle DF and the soft tissue stiffness significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: High-frequency therapy is immediately effective for improving the muscle's architectural properties and functional factors in subjects with GCM tightness. Further longitudinal clinical studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of high-frequency therapy on subjects with GCM tightness from various causes.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.36-50
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of high intensity, high frequency microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation(MENS) of auricular and somatic acupuncture points and low intensity, low frequency microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation(MENS) of auricular and somatic acupuncture points on experimental pressure threshold at the elbow according to the time. Fifty healthy adults, aged 19 to 26 years, were assigned randomly to one of five groups: 1) the high intensity, high frequency somatic group(n=10) received MENS to somatic acupuncture points, 2) the high intensity, high frequency auricular group(n=10) received MENS to auricular acupuncture points, 3) the low intensity, low frequency somatic group(n=10) received MENS to somatic acupuncture points, 4) the low intensity, low frequency somatic group(n=10) receive MENS to somatic acupuncture points, and 5) the placebo group(n=10) received placebo treatment and served as controls. Pressure threshold was measured before, after, 5 minutes, 10 minutes and 15 minutes. Pressure threshold has increased significantly(p<.05) in the high intensity, high frequency auricular group following treatment after 5 minutes, with no statistically significant differences in pressure threshold change scores among five groups, Only the high intensity, high frequency auricular group demonstrated statistically significant change score in pressure threshold following treatment after, 5 minutes, 10 minutes and 15 minutes after compared to the placebo group. The results indicated that MENS applied to the high intensity, high frequency auricular group increases pressure threshold.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.71-77
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of muscle power by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TBNS), low frequency-low intensity(20pps, invisible muscle contraction intensity), low frequency-high intensity(20pps, visible muscle contraction), high frequency-low intensity(100pps, invisible muscle contraction intensity) and high frequency-high intensity(100pps, visible muscle contraction). The results were as follows. 1. Increased muscle power after 30 minutes of treatment by low frequency-low intensity TENS, and post-treatment 30 minutes muscle power were increased more than pre-treatment power(p<0.05). 2. Decreased muscle power after a 30 minute treatment by low frequency-high intensity TENS, and after the 30 minute treatment was terminated muscle power didn't recover to pre-treatment levels. 3. Decreased muscle power after 30 minute treatment by high frequency-low intensity TENS, but post-treatment 30 minute, muscle power didn't recover to pre-treatment levels. 4. The muscle power was remarkably decreased by high frequency-high intensity TENS after 30 minute treatment, in addition treatment terminated after 30minutes didn,t recover to pre-treatment power(p<0.05). 5. Lower frequency-low intensity TENS are good methods for preventing muscle fatigue, buty high intensity (TENS) are increased muscle fatigue. 6. Traditional TENS by high frequency-low intensity is a good method for preventing muscle fatigue.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2015

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the physical therapy treatment room environment using microwave diathermy on the autonomic nervous system of human body. METHODS: Participants were 24 healthy adults. Standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals(SDNN), root mean square of successive differences(RMSSD), low frequency(LF), high frequency(HF), LF/HF ratio were compared in microwave irradiation and non-irradiation group. Data were analyzed in Wilcoxon's signed-ranks test and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), low frequency(LF), high frequency(HF), LF/HF ratio were not significantly different in microwave irradiation group. Standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals(SDNN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), low frequency(LF), high frequency(HF), LF/HF ratio were not significantly different in microwave non-irradiation group. Standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals(SDNN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), low frequency(LF), high frequency(HF), LF/HF ratio were not significantly different between two groups. CONCLUSION: There was no significant change in the sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system regardless of the presence of microwave irradiation. There was no significant change in the autonomic nervous system adaptability regardless of the presence of microwave irradiation.According to this study, microwave diathermy does not have significant effect on the autonomic nervous system.Future study is necessary to investigate the long term effect of the physical therapy treatment room environment using microwave diathermy on the autonomic nervous system of the human body.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.136-142
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• 2013

Purpose: The application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is beneficial for joint movements, inhibition of spasticity, and the improvement of walking ability in patients with chronic hemiplegia. This study aimed to identify the effect of the application of TENS to the knee extensor on the affected side with respect to postural-sway distance and velocity during the sit-to stand movement. Methods: We included 19 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia in this study. They underwent measurements during the sit-to stand movement on a force plate with 5 different stimulation dosages applied over 7 s:No TENS, high-frequency and high intensity TENS, high-frequency and low intensity TENS, low-frequency and high intensity TENS, and low-frequency and low intensity TENS The 5 different condition were administered in random order. Results: The group that received TENS application exhibited a significant decrease in path length and average velocity of center of pressure (COP) displacement compared with the group that did not receive TENS application. TENS dosage at low frequency (3Hz) and high intensity yielded a significant decrease in path length, average velocity, mediolateral distance and anteroposterior distance of COP displacement (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results demonstrated the effectiveness of the application of low-frequency TENS on STS performance. These findings provide useful information on the application of TENS for the reduction of postural sway during the sit-to-stand movement after stroke.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.75-83
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was performed to identify the effects of high frequency therapy on localized obesity. Methods : This trial was carried out in 12 volunteers. Volunteers were divided into 3 groups; upper arm group (n=4), thigh group (n=4) and abdomen group (n=4) according to local obesity type. Body weight and body fat were measured by Inbody 720 and CT (Computed Tomography) immediately before and following high frequency therapy. Diathermy was performed twice a week for 4 weeks for a total of 8 treatments. Results : In the upper arm group, body weight, body fat mass, fat area by CT scan and circumference were increased after treatment but not significantly (p>0.05). In the thigh group, body weight, body fat mass and circumference were decreased and fat area by CT scan was increased but both not significantly (p>0.05). In the abdomen group, significant differences were not found despite decreases in body weight, body fat mass, visceral fat and subcutaneous fat after diathermy (p>0.05). Conclusions : There was no significant effects of high frequency therapy on localized obesity.

• Journal of Advanced Engineering and Technology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.267-271
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• 2018

A high-frequency therapy device with improved output by modifying a high-frequency stimulator was fabricated. The details of the design include generating part design, high-frequency transformer design, large output FET installation, DC voltage input part design and gate input driver design. Based on the real test using the pork meat, the temperature distributions according to the current electric transfer method, penetration depth, electrode diameter size were measured. In the CET method, the penetration depth was 0.5 cm and in the RET method, the penetration depth was 20 cm or more. In addition, it was confirmed that the temperature rise according to the penetration depth in the RET system was substantially constant, and the temperature rise was remarkable as the electrode diameter was small. As a result, it has been confirmed that the high frequency therapy device is highly affected by various conditions of the electrode.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in sympathetic nervous system responses of healthy adult women with changes in stimulus intensity of high frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Methods: Twenty-four healthy subjects (women) received high frequency electrical stimulation of the forearm. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups; a low intensity stimulation group (n=12) and a high intensity stimulation group (n=12). The electrode attachment was arranged on the forearm of the dominant arm and the electricity stimulus time was 20 minutes. Measured items included skin conductance, pulse rate, skin temperature, and respiration rate. Each was measured at 4 times. Results: Skin conductance and skin temperature showed significant group by time interactions, though there were no significant group and time effects. There were no significant differences according to time, group effect, and a group by time interaction in pulse and respiration rates. Conclusion: High frequency and high intensity electrical stimulation may be helpful for the improvement of sudomotor function through the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Also, high frequency and low intensity electrical stimulation may be helpful for the reduction of sudomotor function via inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.233-241
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• 2020

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of high frequency therapy applied to the region branching to the external carotid artery for peripheral facial paralysis sequelae. A patient suffering with facial edema due to facial paralysis sequelae had been treated with acupuncture, high frequency therapy on the branch area to the external carotid artery for 7 weeks. The evaluation of clinical outcome was done by degree of swelling by measuring the distance of the face and skin temperature of face through digital infrared thermographic imaging. After treatment, the patient's degree of swelling and the temperature difference between the affected side and normal side was decreased. In addition, the temperature was changed in the entire facial area as well as the treatment point of high frequency therapy. This result shows that acupuncture combined with high frequency therapy at the region branching to the external carotid artery could be an effective way to improve facial blood flow, although further clinical studies will be needed.