Radio frequency is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. It was first discovered to heat body tissue back in the 19th century by two very brave French guys (a physiologist called d’Arsonval and his loyal assistant; they thought they would die! All in the name of science eh!). They lived to tell the tale and more than that; they found that using 1 ampere produced a warming sensation. Then, in comes some familiar names; Tesla and Hertz, who continued experimenting.
Fast forward to the Biomedical scientists, who in 1983 started investigating radio frequency electromagnetic currents in therapy and launched our first device, which is now called INDIBA. Way back then we called it TEC or TECAR with the word TECARTHERAPY being used, it’s not really accurate, so today you will find it referred to by us and the scientific community as CRET (capacitive resistive electric transfer) or CRMRF (capacitive resistive monopolar radio frequency).
Since that very first device INDIBA has developed its technology around 0.5 MHz and defined its specific radiofrequency delivery to 448kHz, based on the evidence testing and comparing frequencies in this range.
Over 19 years of molecular research at the Bio Electro Magnetica Department of the Ramón y Cajal Hospital in Madrid, has published numerous papers. They established the optimum radio frequency of 448kHz through looking at stem cells, healthy human cells and cancer cells. This important research has demonstrated stem cell differentiation and cancer cell related effects, proving the safety and efficiency of the Bio-stimulation of INDIBA 448kHz technology (Hernandez-Bule et al 2014a,b, 2017).
For over 35 years we have been perfecting our technology, with the latest launch of our CT devices having the most stable wave to date and a new feature of continuous modulation. Both features enable even safer and effective treatment in acute injuries when it is imperative that tissue heating does not occur (Feibal and Fast 1976, Wallace et al 1979).
Bio-stimulation is utilised in acute injuries without a thermal effect, accelerating tissue healing, reducing pain and reducing swelling. The body’s natural repair process is faster and importantly there is still an increase in blood flow delivering oxygen and nutrients for the repair process (Kumuran and Watson 2018).
In the sub-acute and chronic conditions, INDIBA’s bio-stimulation is combined with a deep thermal effect that lasts for over 45 minutes (Kumaran and Watson 2015) significantly increasing deep blood flow and volume (Kumaran and Watson 2018a). This delivers a huge amount of nutrients and oxygen and may deliver the energy needed to stimulate repair in tissues that have been stuck in a non-healing state!
Some examples of use;
Our technology is combined with rehabilitation exercises; either performing these during application or utilising the window of opportunity the thermal effects post INDIBA gives you.
Through more published research we have established ourselves as the most trusted radio frequency device. No other company has the level of evidence we have, and we think that’s something to be very proud of.
Our customers and their patients can be completely reassured of the safety and performance of our technology.
See some examples of our research below or get in touch. Our in-house doctors and physio’s do love a geeky electrotherapy chat.
We are still far from discovering all the different health benefits that a 448 kHz frequency can offer in treatments. Ongoing studies are continuously taking place and the following Universities have produced Thesis and Minor Thesis on INDIBA®:
Clinical research
Treatment with 448kHz electric stimulus increased cartilage-specific collagen type II by 51% and glycosaminoglycans by 20% in respect to sham groups.
Hernández-Bule ML, María Trillo Á, Martínez-García MÁ, Abilahoud C, Úbeda A (2017) Chondrogenic Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells by Radiofrequency Electric Stimulation. J Stem Cell Res Ther 7: 407
Clinical research
4 weeks INDIBA treatment with exercise and advice (control and placebo groups) with 3 months follow up
INDIBA treated group had a 66% reduction in pain from baseline, at 3 months follow up pain was still reduced by 45%. Control group was 8%
Functional quality of life was measured by WOMAC; 45% decrease in score at 4 weeks and 38% at 3 months.
Kumaran B, Watson T. Treatment using 448kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency improves pain and function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee joint: a randomised controlled trial. Physiotherapy (2017).
Clinical research
Skin flow response from 17 participants showed a significant change in the group treated with INDIBA in respect to placebo and control groups.
Kumaran B, Watson T. Capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency (CRMRF) therapy at 448kHz: localised application significantly enhances and sustains skin physiological responses. World Conference for Physical Therapy congress 2015, Singapore; 05/2015.