• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2019

Purpose: In chronic stroke patients, muscle tone and stiffness increase due to ankle spasticity. Electrotherapy may control the spasticity of patients with central nerve system damage via neurophysiological mechanisms. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the immediate effects of interferential current therapy on gastrocnemius (GCM) muscle. Methods: This study was a one-group pretest-posttest design and 20 stroke patients participated. The experimental group underwent interferential current therapy for GCM for 30 minutes. Muscle tone (MT) and stiffness were assessed using MYOTONE(R) PRO. After 30 minutes of interferential current therapy, MT and stiffness of the affected side and unaffected side by GCM were measured. Results: After interferential current therapy, the medial GCM MT (Hz) was significantly reduced in stroke patients. There was a significant difference in MT between affected GCM muscles and unaffected side medial GCM muscles before intervention, but there was no significant difference after interferential current therapy. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that interferential current therapy had a positive effect, producing an immediate decrease in the medial GCM muscles tone of stroke patients. However, this study employed a one-group pretest-posttest design. Future studies will show differences in muscle tone compared to a control group or other electrical stimulation treatments.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.37-42
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to determine whether percutaneous interferential current stimulation on thoracic sympathetic ganglia with amplitude modulated frequency (AMF) $90\~100$ bps and subthreshold of muscle contraction for 10 minutes on peripheral blood flow velocity in healthy subjects. Thirty-seven healthy volunteers were assigned randomly into an experimental group (n=25) and a control group (n=12). the experimental group received interferential current stimulation with subthreshold of the muscle contraction of current at AMF $90\~100$ bps on $1st\~5th$ thoracic sympathetic ganglial region for 10 minutes. The control group received same handling and electode placement, but no current was applied. Using a Doppler blood flow meter, the radial arterial blood flow velocities and the pulse raters were determined for two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures on time and group. There were no significant difference between the two groups with respect to the changes in arterial blood flow velocity and pulse rate over the four measurement times. Interferential current stimulation did not change in mean blood flow velocity and pulse rate. We conclude that interferential current stimulation on the thoracic sympathetic ganglia, as used in this study, did not dilate peripheral artery. This results suggests that interferential current stimulation dose not alter the activtiy of sympathetic nerve.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.121-127
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to determine whether vasodilation occurs when interferential current is applied to the cervical sympathetic chain and peripheral sympathetic nerves. A digital thermometer was used to record skin temperature change. The protocols used for interferential stimulation were 90-100 Hz, applied for 20 minutes via two pairs of electrodes 1) to the throat and 2) to the forearm. Forty subjects were stimulated at each of the two sites. There was no significant correlation between inital skin temperature, sex or age and temperature change. Even though there was a statistically significant temperature increase with cervical sympathetic chain stimulation, this had no clinical vasodilatory effect. More research on interferential current stimulation is needed so that the potential benefits to normal subjects and patients is better understood.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.499-504
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• 2013

This study aims to address the effect of interferential current therapy and thereby to provide basic resources to physical therapies for internal medicine by identifying symptoms for functional dyspepsia and serum gastrin level that shows gastric motility. Following results were obtained by performing interferential current therapy to 16 subjects composed of 8 for functional dyspepsia group and 8 for control group for 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week, for 6 weeks. In control group, serum gastrin level was significantly( p<.01), lowered after the therapy whereas there was no significant difference observed in all questions from questionnaire for symptoms of functional dyspepsia between before and after the therapy. In functional dyspepsia group, serum gastrin level was significantly(p<.01), lowered after the therapy and there was also significant(p<.01) reduction in every question from questionnaire for symptoms of functional dyspepsia between before and after the therapy. There was more significant decrease in serum gastrin level and reduction in questionnaire for symptoms of functional dyspepsia in the functional dyspepsia group compared to the control group(p<.01). This study confirms the interferential current therapy as an effective therapeutic method for internal diseases including functional dyspepsia since it not only improves the symptoms of functional dyspepsia but also allows the gastric motility close to normal.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.87-92
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to have examined the influence on the blood circulation by comparing the differences between stimulating the sympathetic ganglion and the muscle group among the stimulation variables in interferential current stimulation and to have found out the most effective stimulating mode for the improvement the peripheral blood circulation in the interferential current stimulation. Method : The subjects of the study is the men and women in the twenties, who are in great condition and have no pathological report for the blood circulation influence. The intensity of the inferential current stimulation is the medium degree, 100 bps constant current, which is the comfort and overt degree to confirm the muscle contraction. The areas stimulated by the interferential current stimulation are the stellate ganglion area in the seventh cervical vertebrae and the forearm muscle area. The stimulating time is twenty minutes long. After stimulating the two areas, the change of the blood circulation has been measured. Results : Both stimulating the sympathetic ganglion and stimulating the muscle, before and after interferential current stimulation, we have seen that the amount of blood circulation was increased significantly and statistically in both two groups(p<.01) and that the amount of blood circulation was increased significantly and statistically in the case of stimulating the sympathetic ganglion(p<.01). Conclusion : The conclusion we received that inferential current stimulation had the clear influence on increasing the peripheral blood circulation. And stimulating the sympathetic ganglion area is more effective than stimulating muscle area directly.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2010

2 week study was conducted to investigate the effects of Interferential Current(IC) and Kaltenborn-Evjenth Orthopedic Manual Therapy(KEOMT) on functional constipation. Interventions were applied to spinal segments between $T_9-L_2$ which provides innervations to the gastrointestinal tract. Subjects(n=24) were randomly allocated to two treatment groups: the IC group or the KEOMT group. Results for the IC therapy demonstrated significant decrease with the colonic transit time(CTT) as well as scores on the constipation assessment scale(CAS). The frequency of defecations per week had increased significantly(p<0.05). The KEOMT displayed decreased CTT in the left colon region. The scores on the CAS were reduced and frequency of defecations per week had increased significantly (p<0.05). This study not only showed that both modes of therapy improved symptoms of constipation, but also optimized gastrointesti. nal content movement, eventuating in a more normalized CTT. In conclusion, both the IC therapy and the Kaltenborn-Evjenth Orthopedic Manual Therapy have shown to be effective interventions for improving functional constipation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.187-194
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• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of interferential current therapy (ICT) on spasticity, ROM, and the balance function in patients with stroke. Methods: 30 inpatients with stroke were randomly divided into 2 groups: the ICT group (n=15) and the placebo-ICT group (n=15). Two groups have got the traditional rehabilitation for 30 minutes before applying either ICT or placebo-ICT stimulation. The stimulus of ICT has been applied to gastrocnemius at the level of 100 Hz, two times of sensation threshold, while the placebo-ICT group has put on the electrode without electrical stimulus. To assess spasticity in ankle, the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) was used, and goniometer was applied to measure the passive range of motion (PROM). Also, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed-up and go (TUG), and the Functional Reach Test (FRT) were carried out to examine the balance ability. Results: The ICT group showed a significant reduction of spasticity and significantly increased PROM than the placebo-ICT group (p<0.05). The placebo-ICT group did not show significant changes in the BBS, the TUG, and the FRT, while the ICT group significantly improved the BBS, the TUG, and the FRT (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that ICT applied to gastrocnemius effectively decreased spasticity and improved range of motion and balance function in patients with stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.121-132
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• 2000

This study was carried out to determine the influencing of electrical stimulation to cervicothoracic sympathetic ganglion(CTSG; stellate ganglion) u the sympathetic tone. For the purpose of this study. the stimulation was given to both the interferential current stimulation(ICS: AMF 100Hz) group consisting of 10 person(males 8, females 2) and the transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation(TENS: 100 Hz) group of 10(males 7, females 3) in the right side of the trachea with probe electrodes. Then. the temperature changes on the surfaces of the forehead. cheek, neck and internal ear of cephalocervix, which is subject to the influence of the cervicothoracic sympathetic ganglion, and the palm. which is the end of the upper limbs. measured before. immediately alter. 10 minutes after and 20 minutes after experiment. The results are summarized as follows. 1. The emergence of remarkable Horner's symptoms which appear due to the changes of the tone of cervicothoracic sympathetic ganglion was not seen. However, in the interferential current stimulation group there were two felt the sense of warmth in the facial region and one person who felt it in the upper limbs, and in the transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation group there was each one person who felt the sense of warmth in the facial region and in the upper limbs, respectively. Both groups have each one person who felt the sense of oppression in the eyelids. Three persons of the interferential current stimulation group and two persons of the transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation group have the sense of hoarse voice or numbness in the neck. These are the symptoms that appeared during stimulation, so it is difficult for them to be considered as the direct effects of the changes of the tone of cervicothoracic sympathetic ganglion. 2. The t-test was performed to determine the significance between the right, which is the experimental side, and the left, which is the non-experimental side. Significance between the right, which is the experimental side, and the left, which is the non-experimental side. Significant changes were seen in the necks of the interferential current stimulation group and in the cheeks and internal ears of the transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation immediately after experiment(P<.05). And the interferential current stimulation group showed a very high significance in the cheeks immediately after experiment and in the necks ten minutes after experiment(p<.01). Therefore, it could be seen that the electrical stimulation had an influencing on the changes of body temperature of the cephalocervix. 3. In both the interferential current stimulation group and the transcutaneous nerve electrical stimulation group, the forecheads, checks and necks of the cephalocervix in the experimental side(right) rather than the non-experimental side(left) had mostly a statistically significant rise in temperature immediately after experiment. The one-way ANOVA was carried out to determine the temperature change of on the surface of the body with the lapse of time; before, immediately after, ten minutes after and tewenty minutes after experiment. But no statistical significance was found from both the right and left sides.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2009

Background: The purpose of this study is to have examined the influence on the blood circulation by comparing the differences between stimulating the sympathetic ganglion and the muscle group among the stimulation variables in interferential current stimulation. Method: The object of the study is the twenties(M=8, F=12), who are in great condition and have no pathological report for the blood circulation influence. The intensity of the inferential current stimulation is the medium degree, 100 bps constant current, which is the comfort and degree to confirm the muscle contraction. The areas stimulated are the stellate ganglion area in the seventh cervical vertebrae and the forearm muscle area. Results: We have made sure that there is no change in blood pressure and pulse and that the change in the skin temperature occurred highly. Conclusion: In considering the change of the blood circulation in case of stimulation area by the inferential current stimulation, we have seen that stimulating the sympathetic ganglion area is more effective than stimulating muscle area directly.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence on sympathetic nerve system of interferential current therapy(ICT). The subjects were consisted of 20 senile patients, 10 males and 10 females with an average age of 71 years old. And systolic and diastolic blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and respiratory were tested. The results were as follows: 1) Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed a statistical significance between before and during stimulation(p < .05). 2) Temperature was observed a statistical significance between before and during, and before and after 10 minutes stimulation(p < .05). 3) Heart rate and respiratory were not statistical significance(p > .05). These results are imply that electrical stimulation is directly or indirectly influence on sympathetic nerve system.