Is there Evidence to Support IFC? A 2010 systematic review

Is there Evidence to Support IFC? A 2010 systematic review

Reference:Fuentes JP, et al Effectiveness of interferential current therapy in the management of musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Physical Therapy. 2010; 90(9):1219-1238.

You may be surprised that I’m actually writing about Interferential current (IFC)! There is no doubt that IFC is a widely used by Physios to treat pain, but what does the evidence tell us?

This IFC systematic review concludes:

i)IFC as a supplement to other PT interventions seems to be more effective for reducing pain than control / placebo treatments

ii)IFC alone is not better than placebo or other therapy at discharge or follow-up.

Clinical Relevance: Feel free to use IFC if the patient reports “it feels good”, but don’t expect miracles! Consider it only as an adjunct to ‘real’ treatments, and not as an actual treatment!

Posted on: December 27, 2010

Categories: Modalities / Meds / Supplements