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.

KEYWORDS:

• Radiofrequency
• therapy
• electrodes
• electric current density

Declaration of interest

This work has been performed using a monopole capacitive/resistive 448 KHz radiofrequency device (INDIBA® activ therapy; INDIBA S.A. C/Enamorats 1-17, 08013 Barcelona Spain). Nevertheless, there is no conflict of interest since the research has been performed with total economic, execution, conclusion and publication independence.