title: Application of low frequency and medium frequency currents in the management of acute and chronic pain-a narrative review.
abstract: Trancutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential therapy (IFT) have been a regular line of treatment for various types of acute and chronic pain. This review aims to compile the latest literature in pain management using these modalities which use low-frequency and medium-frequency currents. The Cochrane Library, Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, and CINAHL were searched and studies were examined from their inception till October 2013. After title and abstract screening the relevant studies were included for this review. We found through this review that even though TENS and IFT are used in management of pain, there is limited amount of high quality research available in this area. Most of the studies lack methodological quality and have a low sample size.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Stephen Rajan
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Samuel
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: G Arun
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Maiya
keywords: Acute pain; Chronic pain; Electro physical modalities and electrotherapy; Interferential Therapy; Low-frequency currents; Medium frequency currents; Pain; Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation