OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a single trial of interferential current therapy (ICT) can immediately alleviate spasticity and improve balance and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke. DESIGN: Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation in a local center. SUBJECTS: A total of 42 adult patients with chronic stroke with plantar flexor spasticity of the lower limb. INTERVENTION: The ICT group received a single 60-minute ICT stimulation of the gastrocnemius in conjunction with air-pump massage. In the placebo-ICT group, electrodes were placed and air-pump massage performed without electrical stimulation. MAIN MEASURES: After a single ICT application, spasticity was measured immediately using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and balance and functional gait performance were assessed using the following clinical tools: Functional Reach Test (FRT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and 10-m Walk Test (10MWT). RESULTS: Gastrocnemius spasticity significantly decreased in the ICT group than in the placebo-ICT group (MAS ICT versus placebo-ICT 1.55 +/- 0.76 versus 0.40 +/- 0.50). The ICT group showed significantly greater improvement in balance and gait abilities than the placebo-ICT group (FRT 2.62 +/- 1.21 versus 0.61 +/- 1.34, BBS 1.75 +/- 1.52 versus 0.40 +/- 0.88, TUG 6.07 +/- 6.11 versus 1.68 +/- 2.39, 10MWT 7.02 +/- 7.02 versus 1.96 +/- 3.13). Spasticity correlated significantly with balance and gait abilities (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A single trial of ICT is a useful intervention for immediately improving spasticity, balance, and gait abilities in chronic stroke patients, but not for long-term effects. Further study on the effects of repeated ICT is needed.

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