HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Indergand, H. J Articles by Morgan, B. J Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Indergand, H. J Articles by Morgan, B. J Related Collections Electrotherapy Anatomy and Physiology: Cardiovascular/Pulmonary System Social Bookmarking                      What's this?

Effect of Interference Current on Forearm Vascular Resistance in Asymptomatic Humans

HJ Indergand, PT, ATC, is currently with the Physical Therapy Center of Rhinelander, 1831 N Stevens, PO Box 1272, Rhinelander, WI 54501. She was a student in the Physical Therapy Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, at the time this research was conducted.
BJ Morgan, PhD, PT, is Assistant Professor, Physical Therapy Program, Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706.

Background and Purpose. Several case reports suggest that transcutaneous application of interference current (IC) produces physical blockade of sympathetic vasoconstrictor fibers in peripheral nerves. To test this theory, we studied the effects of IC on forearm vascular resistance in asymptomatic humans. Subjects. One man and four women, aged 21 to 44 years (=33, SD=12), served as subjects. Methods. We measured forearm blood flow during IC applications over the left stellate ganglion. Forearm vascular resistance was calculated by dividing mean arterial pressure by forearm blood flow. Results. Interference current did not alter flow (=5.6 [SD=1.0] versus 6.2 [SD=1.1] mL/100 mL/min) or resistance (=15.4 [SD=3.1] versus 13.8 [SD=2.4] units). When sympathetic outflow was augmented using lower-body suction, IC again failed to alter flow or resistance. Conclusion and Discussion. Interference current applied over the stellate ganglion does not alter forearm hemodynamics in asymptomatic individuals. These findings challenge the concept that IC can block sympathetic vasoconstrictor impulses in peripheral nerves.

Key Words: Interference current • Vascular resistance

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?