Electrotherapeutic Concepts Flashcards
Describe direct current
continuous or uninterrupted unidirectional flow of charged particles; direction determined by polarity chosen; no reversal of current
Iontophoresis is an example of _______ current.
direct
Describe alternating current
continuous or uninterruted bi-directional flow of charged particles; alternating polarity of electrodes; no net chemical run; expressed in HZ or cycles/second
Interferential, premodulated, and Russian protocol stimulation are examples of ________ current.
alternating
Describe pulsed current
can be DC or biphasic - bi-directional movement of charged particles that periodically ceases or is interrupted for a period of time
What is the most common current used in electrotherapy?
pulsed current
Unidirectional pulsed current is also known as
interrupted DC
Bi-directional pulsed current is also known as
interrupted biphasic
What is pulse cycle duration?
time of one pulse current
High Volt is a form of what kind of current?
monophasic pulsed current (appears as spike)
What are some clinical uses of NMES (neuromuscular electrical stimulation)?
increasing muscle contractility/strength, reducing muscle spasticity
What are some clinical uses of TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)?
pain suppression
NMES is used on _____ peripheral nerves.
intact
EMS, electrical muscle stimulation, is used on _____ peripheral nerves.
de-innervated
ESTR, electrical stimulation for tissue repair, is often used for
tissue repair
What type of e-stim applications are useful for tissue repair?
ESTR, HVPC, NMES
E-stim absolute contraindications (10)
- Implanted electrical pacing devices (cardiac demand pacemaker, bladder stimulator)
- over pregnant uterus
- over superficial metal implants
- when active motion is contraindicated - if stimulating for a muscle contraction (acute fracture)
- active bleeding in area being stimulated
- directly over malignancies
- phlebitis / circulation
- severely impaired sensation
- over transthoracic or anterior cervical area
- placement of electrodes over carotid sinus
E-stim precautions (5)
- open wounds or broken skin in treatment area
- extreme edema
- unreliable patients
- cardiac disease
- Malignant tumors
E-stim adverse effects (3)
- skin irritation or thermal; burns under electrodes
- allergy to gel, adhesive backing on electrodes, tape
- allergic reactions to medications used for iontophoresis
pain
_____ allows for more comfortable contraction, slowly rising up/down current intensity.
Ramp
Describe the use of ratios in the parameters of electrotherapy.
1: 1 - fatigues quickly (e.g. 6 sec on /6 sec off)
1: 3 - common (e.g. 6 sec on/18 sec off)
1: 5 - early phase rehab often (e.g.6 sec on / 30 sec off)
Synchronous stimulation of 2 channels:
both channels on and off at same time