Electrotherapy Flashcards
What is the DEFINITION of Electrotherapy?
- Use of Electrical Current for Therapy
What is the CLASSIFICATION of Electrotherapy?
1) According to DIRECTION
- AC / Biphasic Current
- DC / Monophasic Current
2) According to FREQUENCY
- LOW Frequency = Up to 1,000Hz
- MEDIUM Frequency = 1,000- 100,000Hz
- HIGH Frequency = OVER 100,000Hz
WHAT EFFECT does LOW / MEDIUM Frequency pose?
- Pain-Relieving Effect
- Trophic Effect
- Electrostimulation of Muscles
WHAT EFFECT does HIGH Frequency pose?
- Anti-Inflammatory Effect
What is GALVANIC CURRENT, and it’s PROPERTIES?
- CONSTANT Current, meaning it DOES NTO change it’s Intensity / Direction
PROPERTIES of GC
- Direct Current
- Unidirectional
- Same Therapeutic Effects as LOW-Frequency Current, EXCEPT has NO Frequency
What are the Components of GALVANIC CURRENT Electrodes?
- GENERATOR of Electricity
- Control Panel
- Cables LINKING Generator w/ Electricity
- Electrodes
- Hydrophilic Pads = TO PREVENT Chemical Burns
What happens when GALVANIC CURRENT Electrodes are placed into the body?
There’s 3 ZONES:
1) POLAR Zone
- BELOW the electrodes aka IN THE SKIN
- Where ions REACH the electrodes / gives away charge
- CONVERT from ELECTRICALLY active to CHEMICALLY active = causing CHEMICAL BURNS
- Hence HYDROPHILIC PADS are placed to PREVENT THIS!
2) PERI-POLAR Zone
- SPECIFIC Rxn takes place
- Change in EXCITABILITY of Tissues
- Hence ANODE is placed = TO INDUCE INHIBITORY Effects
- **CATHODE = For STIMULATORY Effects
3) NON-SPECIFIC Reactions = Such as Hyperaemia
What’s the DOSAGE for Electrotherapy?
- DEPENDS on the Patient’s SUBJECTIVE Feeling
- IF they feel tickling, but NO burning / pain
- FIRST APPLY on a HEALTHY Area, THEN onto the TARGET
- Units = mA/cm’2
What are the METHODS of APPLICATION for GALVANIC CURRENT?
1) LOCAL Method = On SPECIFIC Target
2) REFLEX Method
- SCHTERBACH’S COLLAR = 2 HUGE Electrodes for Migraines / Insomnia
- SCHTERBACH’S BELT = Placed on waist, for Infertility / Pelvic Pain
3) HYDROGALVANIC Band
- Mix of Hydrotherapy + Electrotherapy
- FOR = Degenerative Bone Diseases
4) 4-CHAMBER BED
- For Hands / Feet = In RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
What are the EFFECTS of GC / LOW-Frequency Current?
- Muscle Membrane Contraction
- Different Sensations on Skin = Tickling / Burning / Pain
What are the INDICATIONS / CONTRAINDICATIONS of GC / LOW-Frequency Current?
INDICATIONS
- Pain Relief
- Electrostimulation of MM
CONTRAINDICATIONS
- Malignancy
- Pacemaker
- Metal Implants
- Purulent Inflammation / Fever
- Pregnancy
What is Iontophoresis?
Give examples of Drugs Used
- Delivery of drugs with the help of GC / Other form of DC
- Lidocaine = Local Anaesthetic
- Nivalin = Improves Neuroconductivity / Peripheral Nerve Damage
What are the Advantages & Disadvantages of Iontophoresis?
ADVANTAGES
- Local Effects
- Simultaneously treat w/ GC
- Has PROLONGED Effect
- NO Risk of Infections / Side Effects
CONTRAINDICATIONS
- Same as for GC
- Drug Allergies
What is the Frequency Used for Low-Frequency Pulsed Current?
- Frequency Upto 8,000Hz
What are the 2 Types Of Low-Frequency Pulsed Currents?
1) Electrostimulation of Muscles
2) Pain Relief = aka TENS (Transcutaneous Electro Nerve Stimulation) Therapy
What are the INDICATIONS for Electrostimulation of Muscles using LPF?
- Hypotrophic MM = AFTER Periods of Immobility
- Osteoarthritis
- Scoliosis
- Post-Stroke Px = STIMULATE the Wrist + Finger Extensors
- Hemiplegia - Paralysis
- Accidents
IN Electrical Stimulation, what are the CORRESPONDING PARAMETERS?
- 1) PHYSICAL Parameter = Muscle Properties
- 2) CURRENT INTENSITY = Rheobase
- 3) Duration of PULSE = Chronaxie
- 4) Duration of PAUSE = Refractory Period
- 5) WAVEFORM = ACCOMODATION Properties of the MM
- 6) FREQUENCY = Functional Mobility
What are the PARAMETERS of Current for Muscles with PRESERVED Innervation?
- Duration of Phase = *1ms**
- Shape of Pulse = Rectangular / Triangular
- Frequency = Relatively HIGH; 30-150Hz
What are the PARAMETERS of Current for Muscles with PERIPHERAL Nerve Damage?
- Duration of Phase = 100-200-300ms
- Shape of Pulse = Slowly Rising
- Frequency = Very LOW ; 0.25-0.5Hz
What are the INDICATIONS & CONTRAINDICATIONS for TEN Therapy with LPF?
INDICATIONS
- Pain Syndromes
- Osteoarthritis
- Trauma
CONTRAINDICATIONS = SAME as GALVANIC CURRENT
- Malignancy
- Pacemaker
- Metal Implants
- Purulent Inflammation / Fever
- Pregnancy
What is an example of LOW-Frequency Currents?
- DIADYNAMIC Currents = A Rectified alternating current
What are the Types of DIADYNAMIC Currents?
1) DEPHASE Fixed (DF) = 100Hz
2) MONOPHASE Fixed (MF) = 50Hz
3) COURTE PERIOD = SHORT Period w/ RAPID alternation BTW 50 - 100Hz
4) LONG PERIOD=LONG Period w/ SLOW alternation BTW 6 sec of MF and 10 sec of DF
5) RS = SYNCOPAL Rhythm ; 1 sec MF - followed by a pause of 50Hz
WHICH Diadynamic Currents have ANALGESIC and TROPHIC Effects?
- Dephase Fixed (DF)
- Monophase Fixed (MF)
- Courte Period (CP)