E-Stim

Question 1

What is the difference in parameters between conventional TENS and Low-Rate TENS?

Answer 1

Pulse - Conventional (50-80); Low-rate is longer(100-300)
Frequency - Conventional is high (100-150); Low is (2-10)
Intensity - Conventional (comfortable); Low (sm. contraction)

Question 2

What is the difference in effects between conventional TENS and Low-Rate TENS?

Answer 2

Conventional - no long lasting effects

Low-Rate - effective for 4-5 hours after stimulation ends.

Question 3

What is the difference between NEMS and EMS?

Answer 3

NEMS - neuromuscular electrical stimulation; contraction of innervated muscles by stimulated action potential in nerves.
EMS - electrical muscle stimulation; stimulated denevrated muscles contraction by way of direct current (DC). DC pulse >10 ms.

Question 4

How does E-Stim muscle contractions differ from physiological muscle contractions?

Answer 4

Fiber type - phys (type I, slow); ES (type II fast)
Contraction force - phys (low); ES (high)
Speed of contraction - phys (slow); ES (fast)
Fatigue & Atrophy - phys (resistant); ES (quickly)
recruitment - phys (asynchronous); ES (synchronous)

Question 5

When using IFC E-Stim can you cross the spine when treating?

Answer 5

Yes, but it can diminish the treatment.

Question 6

E-Sim electrode placement should…?

Answer 6

• one over motor point
• other over stimulated muscle
• at least 2 in apart

Question 7

Shorter pulse duration for ______ muscles and longer pulse duration for _______ muscles.

Answer 7

smaller; larger

Question 8

E-Stim for muscle contractions should have/set the amplitude to ___________ MVIC of uninjured limb.

Answer 8

contraction of > or = 10-50%

Question 9

Difference between on/off cycle for E-stim for muscle strengthening vs. E-stim for muscle spasms?

Answer 9

strengthening - 1:5 ratio (10 on/50 off) to start, for preventing fatigue; progression to 1:3.
spasms - 1:1 ratio of 2-5 sec.

Question 10

How to tell id edema is caused by inflammation or lack of muscle contraction?

Answer 10

If inflammation - area will appear red & feel warm

If lack of muscle contraction - are will appear cold, pale, and swollen.

Question 11

Frequency for E-stim muscle contraction is determined by what?

Answer 11

size of the muscle being stimulated.
small muscles - 20-30 pps (face, hands, foot)
large muscles - 35-50 pps (more common)

Question 12

Which type of TENS has effects post-treatment?

Answer 12

low-rate; 4-5 hours

Question 13

Which type of TENS is used for acute care? Which is used for chronic pain?

Answer 13

Acute care - conventional/high rate TENS

Chronic pain - low-rate TENS; burst mode is similar