E Stim

Question 1

What is an electric current?

Answer 1

Flow of charged particles; may be electrons or ions

Question 2

Alternating current

Answer 2

Continuous bidirectional flow of charged particles. Alternates between + & -.

• Has equal ion flow in each direction & no pulse charge remains in the tissues.
• When frequency increases, the cycle duration decreases…it happens faster.
• comfort/ pain reduction
• wavelength is similar to pulse duration of a pulsed current
• Russian, IFC, and premod all derive from AC

Question 3

Interferential current (IFC)

Answer 3

• best for pain control & muscle relaxation
• electrodes configured so 2 ACs intersect
• when they intersect, they interfere, producing a higher amp when both currents are in same phase & a lower amp when they are in opposite phases.

Question 4

Premodulated current

Answer 4

• similar to IFC but with 2 electrodes instead of 4; u can use it in a smaller area.

Question 5

Direct current

Answer 5

Continuous unidirectional flow of charged particles used or iontophoresis & stimulating contraction of denervated muscle & occasionally wound healing.

• use neg electrode for neg drug & positive electrode for positive drug
• uncomfortable but better response
• leave a net charge in the tissue

Question 6

Pulsed current

Answer 6

• often DC
• interrupted flow of charged particles ( pulses w no current)
• can use w all others
• use when giving muscle contractions

Question 7

What is amplitude?

Answer 7

Intensity or magnitude of current or voltage

Question 8

Current density

Answer 8

The amount of current delivered per unit area

Question 9

Electrical current

Answer 9

Movement or flow of charged particles through a conductor in response to an applied electrical field. Current is noted as I and is measured in amperes (A)

Question 10

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS)

Answer 10

Application of an electrical current directly to muscle to produce a muscle contraction

Question 11

Functional electrical stimulation (FES)

Answer 11

Application of an electrical current to produce muscle contractions that are applied during a functional activity. For example, DF during swing phase of gait with e stim

Question 12

Galvanotaxis

Answer 12

Attraction of cells to an electrical charge

Question 13

Gate control theory

Answer 13

Theory of pain control and modulation that states pain is modulated at the spinal cord level by inhibitory effects of nonnoxious afferent output

Question 14

Impedance

Answer 14

Total frequency- dependent opposition to current flow.

Noted by Z.

Question 15

Iontophoresis

Answer 15

Transcutaneous delivery of ions into body for therapeutic purpose using an electrical current

Question 16

Low rate TENS

Answer 16

TENS w long duration, high amplitude pulses used to control pain; aka acupuncture like TENS

Question 17

Motor point

Answer 17

Place in muscle where electrical stim will produce greatest contraction w the least amount of electricity, generally located over middle of muscle belly.

Question 18

NMES

Answer 18

Application of an electrical current to motor nerves to produce contractions of the muscles they innervate

Question 19

Ohm’s law

Answer 19

Math expression of how voltage, current, and resistance relate where voltage equals current multiplied by resistance.

Question 20

Overload principle

Answer 20

Strengthening muscle that states the greater load placed on a muscle and the higher force contraction it produces the more strength that muscle will gain.

Question 21

Phase

Answer 21

In a pulsed current, the period from when current starts to flow in one direction to when it stops flowing or starts to flow in e other direction.
- phases make up a pulse

Question 22

Polarity

Answer 22

Charge of an electrode that will be positive (anode) or negative ( cathode) with direct or Monophasic pulsed current and constantly changing with an alternating or biphasic pulsed current

Question 23

Resistance

Answer 23

A materials opposition to flow of electrical current. R. measured in ohms.

Question 24

Pulse

Answer 24

In a pulsed current, the period when current is flowing in any direction
- pulses are made of phases

Question 25

TENS

Answer 25

Application of electrical current through skin to modulate pain

Question 26

Voltage

Answer 26

Force or pressure of electricity; difference in electrical energy between 2 points that produces electrical force capable of moving charged particles through conductor between those 2 points.

Question 27

Russian

Answer 27

• form of DC

waveform with specific protocols to elicit a muscle contraction

Question 28

What happens if pulse duration is shortened?

Answer 28

Greater amp is needed to achieve same strength of contraction with longer pulse duration

Question 29

How do u contract a denervated muscle?

Answer 29

You need a pulse longer than 10ms. This is why we need e stim.

Question 30

EMS

Answer 30

Electrical muscle stimulation

Question 31

FES

Answer 31

Functional e stim

Question 32

Phase duration

Answer 32

Duration of one phase of a pulse

Question 33

Pulse duration

Answer 33

Duration from the first phase to the last phase of a pulse

Question 34

Ramp time

Answer 34

Time it takes for current amplitude to go from zero to its max amplitude

Question 35

Inter pulse interval

Answer 35

Time between pulses

Question 36

Impedance

Answer 36

Opposition to current flow

Question 37

Alternating current facts

Answer 37

Wavelength of AC is similar to pulse duration of pulsed current
Russian, IFC, and premod currents all derive from AC