What is the expected outcome of increasing the distance between electrodes in interferential therapy?

Increasing the distance between electrodes in interferential therapy typically results in increased depth of current penetration. This occurs because the electric field generated by the electrodes spreads out over a larger area as the distance increases, allowing the current to reach deeper tissues more effectively. This deeper penetration can enhance the therapeutic effects, making it beneficial for treating pain or muscular issues located below the surface layers of the skin.

The other options, while they might relate to aspects of interferential therapy, do not accurately characterize the primary effect of increasing electrode distance. For instance, reducing the intensity of the current is not accurate since the intensity may be similar, but the distribution of the current becomes broader. Regarding patient comfort, increasing the electrode distance doesn't necessarily equate to greater comfort, as this is influenced by various factors, including treatment settings and individual sensitivity. Similarly, while faster muscle recovery can result from deeper penetration, the primary and most direct result of increasing distance is the depth of current penetration itself.