BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Interferential current is a common electrotherapy modality in physical therapy, but the regulation of its parameters is still empirical, being necessary studies to establish adequate parameters for its application. This study aimed at evaluating onset time of the first accommodation and the number of times it occurs during 10 minutes of interferential current application, varying its presentation form of delta F (ΔF) delivery ramps. METHOD: The sample consisted of 18 women divided in 3 groups: Group A - 1:1 (variation every 1 second), in the 2nd day 1:5:1 (frequencies increase and decrease in 1 second and maintenance for 5 seconds), 3rd day - 6:6 (frequency increase and decrease in 6 seconds); Group B - 1:5:1 in the 1st day, in the 2nd day we used 6:6 and in the 3rd day 1:1; Group C - 6:6 in the 1st day, 1:1 in the 2nd and 1:5:1 in the 3rd day. Stimulation was above the sensory threshold during 10 minutes and volunteers would indicate the moment of the first accommodation and how many times would accommodation occur. RESULTS: During accommodation threshold evaluation, no ΔF delivery ramp presented significant difference. There has been significant difference in total number of accommodations when comparing ramp 1:5:1 to ramp 6:6 with the latter presenting the highest number of accommodations. CONCLUSION: ΔF delivery ramp has not influenced accommodation threshold and ramp 1:5:1 had the lowest number of accommodations as compared to ramp 6:6.
Analgesia; Electric stimulation therapy; Electricity
