title: Immediate therapeutic effect of interferential current therapy on spasticity, balance, and gait function in chronic stroke patients: a randomized control trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether a single trial of interferential current therapy (ICT) can immediately alleviate spasticity and improve balance and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inpatient rehabilitation in a local center.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 42 adult patients with chronic stroke with plantar flexor spasticity of the lower limb.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ICT group received a single 60-minute ICT stimulation of the gastrocnemius in conjunction with air-pump massage. In the placebo-ICT group, electrodes were placed and air-pump massage performed without electrical stimulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  After a single ICT application, spasticity was measured immediately using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and balance and functional gait performance were assessed using the following clinical tools: Functional Reach Test (FRT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and 10-m Walk Test (10MWT).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gastrocnemius spasticity significantly decreased in the ICT group than in the placebo-ICT group (MAS: ICT vs placebo-ICT: 1.55±0.76 vs 0.40±0.50). The ICT group showed significantly greater improvement in balance and gait abilities than the placebo-ICT group (FRT: 2.62±1.21 vs 0.61±1.34, BBS: 1.75±1.52 vs 0.40±0.88, TUG: 6.07±6.11 vs 1.68±2.39, 10MWT: 7.02±7.02 vs 1.96±3.13). Spasticity correlated significantly with balance and gait abilities (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A single trial of ICT is a useful intervention for immediately improving spasticity, balance, and gait abilities in chronic stroke patients, but not for long-term effects. Further study on the effects of repeated ICT is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Rim
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hee Chul
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Gachon University, Incheon, South Korea hwiyoung@gachon.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Hwi-Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004856:Postural Balance; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation
keywords: Stroke; balance; gait; interferential current therapy (ICT); spasticity