E STIM INTRO

Question 1

what is electrical stimulation?

Answer 1

a term used for ALL electrical stimulation machines (involving electrodes on a patient)

Question 2

what is electrical current

Answer 2

• flow of charged particles in form of ions or electrons
• depolarizing nerve membranes = actoin potential

Question 3

electrical current has how many electrodes?

Answer 3

2
- positive = anode (electron/ion deficient)

• negative = cathode (electron/ion rich)

Question 4

2 types of current

Answer 4

• alternating current (AC)
• direct current (DC)

Question 5

AC current

Answer 5

• constantly changes direction flow of (canceling net charge under electrodes)

-TENS, ICF, NMES, Russian STEM (need current, but no charge)

Question 6

Direct Current (DC)

Answer 6

• unidirectional flow of current
• does have net charge under the electrodes (can result in tissue irritation)
• iontophoresis, high volt pulse current
• the phase will be = to the pulse

Question 7

amplitude (intensity of electrical current)

Answer 7

how far above/below the red line is from 0 (isoelectric line) and measured in miliamps

Question 8

Phase

Answer 8

period of time when the current flows in ONE direction (either above or below the 0 line) & lasts until it stops or change/opposite direction

• biphasic
• monophasic (one phase)

Question 9

pulse

Answer 9

any continuous flow of current whether or not it crosses 0 line

Question 10

When using electrical stimulation, know what tissues you want to activate

Answer 10

Depends on goals of treatment:

• Motor nerves to improve muscle activation or strength
• activate A beta sensory fibers to help with pain relief
• a delta fibers along with motor nerves to achieve pain relief but so do via indigenous opioid pain system

Question 11

Strength Duration Cure

Answer 11

• pulse duration in microseconds on horizontal axis:
• 50-80 microseconds for A Beta (conventional TENS/ICF)
• 125-200 microseconds for stimulating smaller muscles (NMES/Russian)
• 200-350 microseconds for stimulating larger muscles (NMES/Russian)
• 150-300 microseconds for muscle & A Delta fibers (acupuncture like TENS/ICF)

(GOAL: select a duration that allows you to activate desired nerve fiber at a point on the curve that helps separate it as far as possible from other curves)

Goal - lowest possible intensity to achieve effect

Question 12

Once selected pulse duration to activate desired nerve fibers —> next select frequency

Answer 12

Frequency: treatment effect and sensation you want patient to feel

Question 13

Amplitude

Answer 13

After pulse duration and frequency, set the amplitude

• Turing up the intensity (AKA AMPLITUDE) to desired level
• like a volume knob on radio… what patient feels based on all other settings