The Effect of Monochromatic Infrared Energy and Interferential Stimulation on Hamstring Pain

This study compared two treatments used for rehabilitative purposes following injury with attention on practical application in a sports medicine setting. The two treatments under investigation involved different approaches 10 rehabilitation. The Anodyne system used a monochromatic infra-red energy source (MIRE) whereas the Interferential Current Stimulation (IFC) used two electrically generated interference waves to facilitate tissue response. The investigation was designed to detem1inc if there was a significant difference in (1) the reduction of pain resulting from induced eccentric hamstring injury following the five day treatment protocols using MIRE or IFC, (2) the reduction of pain resulting from induced eccentric hamstring injury immediately following each treatment protocol using the MIRE or IFC, and (3) in the number of days required to achieve the reported pre injury levels of pain using the MIRE or IFC. Currently there is limited research on the use of Anodyne Therapy in a Sports Medicine setting. Data obtained through this study should indicate effectiveness of treatment using the Anodyne Therapy System when compared to IFC. The participants of this study included 14 male and 16 female college students with ages ranging from 18 to 22 years. Each volunteer participant was assigned to a treatment protocol based upon the order in which the participant signed up to equalize the numbers within each group. Groups consisted of (1) Anodyne treatment, (2) IFC treatment, and (3) the control group. Participants were asked to perform single leg dumbbell lunges sufficient to induce a simulated eccentric hamstring injury. The following day the participants began their assigned treatment protocol of five consecutive days. A single analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey Post-Hoc statistics were utilized to determine if there was a significant difference in the three variables. The ANOVA revealed a significant difference in the (1) reduction of pain after the five day treatment protocol and (2) reduction of pain following each treatment. No significant difference was noted in the numbers of days to achieve the reported pre-injury level of pain. Upon further examination using the Tukey post-hoc test, the source of the significant differences (ANOYA) was due to comparisons with the control group only. No significant differences existed between the Anodyne treatment group and the IFC treatment group