III. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR LAB ACTIVITY C: \"IFC\" Equipment Needed: Electri
ID: 3473106 • Letter: I
Question
III. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR LAB ACTIVITY C: "IFC" Equipment Needed: Electrical stimulation unit with an adjustable frequency (IFC) The objective of this activity is to understand how adjustment of frequency affects the level of inten required to stimulate sensory, motor and nociceptive nerve fibers. Perform the above activity using a unit capable of producing an IFC Adjust the IFC setting from low to high using the buttons on the unit. Increase the inte and note the sensation that you experience. Adjust the sweep frequency using the two settings indicated. Do not change both at the same time, Keep one constant as you cycle through the ot parameter values. Record all of the sensations experienced as you increase the intensity on the followir 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. IFC Handheld Unit Parameter Varied IFC High IFC Low Frequency 19 30 Sensations ogling Tight Confertable Tiogles Uncanfsrtable cestroction live a com Sweep Frequency 2-10 weep Frequency 80-150 weep Frequency 2-3 weep Frequency 100-101 ingting uncor table contrechon Puisatio Consbat tials moving Into controcHo ogie strady Cont ucHon
Explanation / Answer
It is clear from the above data that higher frequency causes less impededance to the skin. (Impedance of the skin is inversely proportional to the frequency of the stimulation). Hence high frequency treatment is more comfortable for the patient. But higher frequency has less efficacy. The IFC (interferential therapy) uses two low frequency which passes to the tissue simultaneously where their path crosses each other and they interfere with each other. This interference causes a beat frequency which has the characterstics like low frequency stimulation. But the main problem is, the nerves accomodate to a constnat signals and adjust itself against a constant or slowly increasing level of stimulas and hence receptors do not repond propery to the stimulas. Therefore a sweep (or gradually changing frequency) is often used to overcome this problem.