Clinical Electrical Stimulation Intro

Question 1

What are the parameters under pts control for ES

Answer 1

-choice of apropriate current
-electrode choice a placement (size, technique, placement, number of channels)
-application of stimulus:
Frequency (#of cycles/sec)
Pulsed frequency (pps)
Wave duration
Ramp (slow rise up and down, make it more comfortable for patient)
Surge (controled on/off time, gives rest time for muscles to rest in between
reciprocal (have a stim on opposite muscles
amplitude (want the best result with the lowest amplitude)
Duration

Question 2

Difference between Monopolar, bipolar, quadripolar

Answer 2

Monopolar= one electrode in contact with target tissue and the second electrode at a proximal location. Used for swelling or muscle contraciton of a specific muscle

BIpolar- two electrodes placed on targeted tissue

qaudripolar= four crossed electrodes

Question 3

Contraindications (redlight) for electrical stimulation

Answer 3

-demand cardiac pacemakers
-application over carotid sinus (anterior neck can drop blood pressure and make them pass out)
-eyes
-pregnancy
-placement on anterior neck

Question 4

Precautions (yellow light) for electrical stimulation

Answer 4

• person with arthymia
• -near fresch insicions
• over insenate skin (if they cant feel the area)
• T6 and above spinal cord injury
• trans cranionally or cervically with pt hx of seizures

Question 5

Whats the difference between electrical stimulation and physiologically initiated muscle contractions?

Answer 5

ESTIM - largest axonal diamters activates 1st fast twitch (power) and is very jerky because all fibers fire simultaneously
Physiological- smaller axonal diameter activates 1st slow twitch (endurance), increase in force is smooth

Question 6

What are the two ways ESTIM strengthens muscles?

Answer 6

Overload and specificty

Question 7

what is ES most commonly used for?

Answer 7

Activate skeletal muscle for muscle strength, alleviate pain, improve blood flow, facilitate tissue healing

Question 8

NMEs, FES, TENs difference

Answer 8

NMES= activates skeletal muscle for strenghening
FES= activates skeletal muscle for reeducation or movement training for funcitonal use
TENS= for modulation of pain