Influence of electrodes on the 448 kHz electric currents created by radiofrequency: A finite element study

Abstract

Radiofrequency is a technology used in physical rehabilitation by physicians and physiotherapists for more than fifteen years, although there exist doubts on how it works. Indiba is a particular method that applies a voltage difference of 448 KHz between two electrodes, creating an electric current between them. These electrodes are an active one that is placed on different areas of the body and a passive one that is left on the same position during the treatment. There are two different types of active electrodes: the capacitive one and the resistive one. In this paper, it has been studied how the different electrodes affect the current density inside the body and thus how they affect the efficacy of the treatment. It shows how finite element calculations should help physicians in order to better understand its behavior and improve the treatments.

Short-Term Efficacy of Capacitive-Resistive Electrical Transfer Therapy in Short-Haired Sled Dogs in Middle-Distance Competition

“…The device used was an Indiba ® AH-100 (Indiba Animal Health S.A., Barcelona, Spain), operating at a radio frequency of 448 kHz ( Figure 4 a), using two different modes on the active electrode: capacitive (CAP) and resistive (RES) [ 12 , 19 ]. The capacitive phase took up the first 4 min of the session (IAS 3–4), followed immediately by 10 min for the resistive phase of the monopolar capacitive-resistive therapy (IAS 3–4), and ending with 4 min of resistive phase (IAS 2).…”

“…The non-active electrode remains in the same position during the treatment, generally located on the floor, in contact with the surface of the dog, which is generally kept lying down during the session, while the active electrode is located on the different areas of the body to be treated. There are two different active electrodes, capacitive and resistive, whose current densities have been studied on the body [ 12 ]. This passage of current produces intratissular biostimulation effects, which causes movements in the extracellular matrix, generates cellular nutrition and increases cellular metabolism [ 13 ].…”

Revisión narrativa sobre el uso y aplicaciones de la radiofrecuencia para el tratamiento del dolor musculoesquelético

“…Uno de los beneficios de esta terapia es que reduce el uso de analgésicos. Una de las ventajas que tiene esta técnica analgésica es que si el dolor reaparece Tabla I. Comparación de electrodos de modo invasivo y no invasivo 14,15 .…”

“…Para conseguir analgesia de forma no invasiva, J. Spottorno y cols. 15 usaron la máquina de "INDIBA ® " (INDIBA S. A., Barcelona, España). Comprobaron que se puede conseguir analgesia, aplicando una frecuencia de onda de 448 KHz.…”

The Effectiveness of 448-kHz Capacitive Resistive Monopolar Radiofrequency for Subcutaneous Fat Reduction in a Porcine Model

“…The practitioner attaches the electrode pad or the electrode to the body, and the electrode is placed in contact with the treatment site for 10-30 min. 18 Heat transfer is carried out in two ways. Resistive electric transfer (RET) utilizes the principle that the tissue between the conductor and the counter electrode generates bioheat by accelerating the electronic activity from the center.…”