Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Question 1

What is electrical muscle stimulation

Answer 1

Elicitation of muscle contraction using electric current

Can be used for either innervated or denervated muscles

Question 2

Why is it used

Answer 2

Question 3

Therapeutic uses

Answer 3

Question 4

Alternating vs direct current

Answer 4

Direct current is preferred due to the short duration of the treatment session

Question 5

Electrode placement for penetration

Answer 5

Close together = superficial

Far away = deep

Question 6

Frequency of pulse

Answer 6

Low frequency : up to 1000 Hz
Medium frequency: 1000 - 10,000 Hz
High frequency: more than 10,000 Hz

Question 7

What happens if intensity is too high

Answer 7

Question 8

Polarity of electrodes

Answer 8

Negative electrode is the active electrode and should be placed distally to replicate the natural flow of electrons

Question 9

Alternating Faradic current

Answer 9

• unidirectional
• pulse duration: 0.02 to 1 ms
• Frequency: 50-70 Hz
• surge: 4-30 surge/min
  Pauses 2-3 times

For INNERVATED MUSCLES

Question 10

Motor points in anterior arm

Answer 10

Question 11

Motor points in posterior arm

Answer 11

Question 12

Motor points in anterior leg

Answer 12

Question 13

Motor points in posterior leg

Answer 13

Question 14

Motor points of trunk

Answer 14

Question 15

Contraindication to faradic

Answer 15

Question 16

Expected sensation

Answer 16

No burning sensation

Prickling sensation followed by muscle contraction

Question 17

Direct current

Answer 17

Short pulse duration ( 50-100 μs)
Deep penetration
Used with DENERVATED MUSCLES

Question 18

Indications

Answer 18