Variation in torque production with frequency using medium frequency alternating current.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of frequency of alternating current on electrically induced torque in healthy subjects, and to establish an optimum frequency for motor stimulation.

DESIGN

A repeated-measures design using 12 subjects (part 1) and 3 subjects (part 2).

SETTING

A laboratory setting was used.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were volunteers who met the inclusion criteria.

INTERVENTIONS

Alternating current with carrier frequencies between 1 and 15kHz, modulated at 50Hz, was applied to each subject on two separate occasions. The frequencies were applied in a different random order on each occasion and different random orders were used between subjects. For part 1 of this study, six frequencies were used: 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, and 15kHz. For part 2, three frequencies were used: 1, 4, and 10kHz.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Part 1: The maximum electrically induced torque, defined as the torque induced at the pain threshold, was recorded for each applied frequency. Part 2: The variation of torque with increasing stimulus intensity was recorded for each applied frequency.

RESULTS

Highest electrically induced torque was produced at the lowest frequency examined (1kHz). Torque decreased systematically with increasing frequency over the frequency range examined. The rate of increase in torque with applied stimulus intensity was also found to decrease systematically with increasing frequency in a way that depended strongly on the skinfold thickness of the subject.

CONCLUSIONS

Electrical stimulators using an alternating current waveform typically use a carrier frequency in the range of 2kHz to 4kHz for motor stimulation. This study shows that carrier frequencies in this range, modulated at 50Hz, are a compromise between comfort and maximum torque production. For maximum comfort with a low torque, a frequency close to 10kHz is indicated. For maximum torque, a lower frequency of alternating current (1kHz or less) is preferable.