Recent advances in electronics and miniaturization mean that interferential stimulation units such as the TheraLabs TL1000 can be easily and frequently applied by patients at home. Physicians are beginning to perform rigorous, clinical studies of the effectiveness of this type of treatment. Such studies have shown reductions in pain, swelling and recovery time.
In 2003, a study performed at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, California was published in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine (13:16–20). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on patients undergoing ACL reconstruction, menisectomy, or knee chondroplasty concluded that
"... home IFC [interferential current therapy] may help reduce pain, pain medication taken, and swelling while increasing range of motion in patients undergoing knee surgery. This could result in quicker return to activities of daily living and athletic activities."
Similarly, Dr. Brian Awbrey of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital evaluated patients after soft tissue arthroscopy of the knee using both energized and non-engerized (placebo) Interferential Therapy units. Compared to the placebo users, users of the energized interferential stimulation units experienced:
These and other studies have convinced most insurance carriers to recognize, approve and reimburse for interferential stimulation therapy.