electrotherapy foundations

Question 1

definition: loss/gain of electrons

Answer 1

charge (C or mC)

Question 2

definition: attraction/repulsion forces that create an electric field

Answer 2

polarity (cathode or anode)

Question 3

definition: driving force that moves electrons; a measure of potential energy

Answer 3

voltage (volt or millivolt)

Question 4

What are examples of conductors?

Answer 4

water, metal, nerves

Question 5

What are examples of insulators?

Answer 5

rubber, plastic fat

Question 6

definition: movement of ions/electrons in response to voltage force that is directly proportional to the magnitude of voltage

Answer 6

current (amp or A)

Question 7

According to Ohm’s law, increased current will (decrease/increase) the strength of the contraction and (decrease/increase) the strength of sensation

Answer 7

increase, increase

Question 8

The current will always follow the path of (least/most) resistance

Answer 8

least

Question 9

definition: the degree to which an electrical charge is stored in a system containing conductors and insulators

Answer 9

capacitance

Question 10

definition: resistance to the flow of alternating current

Answer 10

impedance
(gels and adhesives work to decrease impedance by improving the connection between the electrode and the skin)

Question 11

definition: continuous undirectional flow of electrons for at least 1 second

• flow from positive to negative or negative to positive

Answer 11

direct current

Question 12

definition: the direction of flow stops after 1 second and then resumes in the SAME direction for 1 second

Answer 12

interrupted direct current

Question 13

definition: when flow stops after 1 second and resumes in the OPPOSITE direction for at least 1 second

Answer 13

reversed direct current

Question 14

definition: uninterrupted, bi-directional flow of electrons, that change direction at least one time per second

Answer 14

alternating current

Question 15

Alternating current (is/is not) interrupted

Answer 15

is not

Question 16

Direct current (is/is not) interrupted

Answer 16

is

Question 17

definition: uni-directional or bi-directional flow of electrons that periodically ceases for a short time period

Answer 17

pulsed current

Question 18

definition: pulsed current where all pulses are on the same side of the x-coordinate… produced from intermittently interrupting a direct current source

Answer 18

monophasic

Question 19

definition: pulsed current where pulses are on the opposite sides of the x-coordinate… produced from intermittently interrupting an alternating current source

Answer 19

biphasic

Question 20

The body is mostly ___ water

Answer 20

salt

Question 21

With E-stim, NaCl- (separates, attracts)… Na+ attracts to (cathodes/anodes) and Cl- attracts to (cathodes/anodes) and combine with water

Answer 21

separates into Na+ and Cl-, cathodes, anodes

Question 22

definition: energy is neither created nor destroyed but rather exchanged, and through the exchange, some energy is lost in the form of heat

Answer 22

law of thermodynamics

Question 23

What voltage are nerves depolarized at?

Answer 23

-70 mV

Question 24

What voltage are muscles depolarized at?

Answer 24

-90 mV

Question 25

Gate control theory: Stimulation of the ___ fibers inhibits the substantia gelatinosa and results in the gate opening and the pain message traveling to the brain.

Answer 25

A-delta, C- fibers

Question 26

What therapeutic current is used for strengthening muscles?

Answer 26

russian current

Question 27

Russian current is a variation of ______ current.

Answer 27

alternating

Question 28

What therapeutic current is used for pain modulation, tissue repair, and wound healing?

Answer 28

high volt pulsed current (monophasic pulsed current)

Question 29

What therapeutic current is primarily used for pain modulation?

Answer 29

interferential current (IFC)

Question 30

definition: alternating biphasic current that is interrupted and delivered in short bursts

Answer 30

russian current

Question 31

What direct current is used for tissue repair and wound healing?

Answer 31

low intensity Direct current (microcurrent)

Question 32

(true/false) Low-intensity DC (microcurrent) stimulates sensory/motor nerves

Answer 32

false

Question 33

definition: any current with < 1 mA

Answer 33

microcurrent

Question 34

What pulsed current is used for muscle stimulation and pain modulation?

Answer 34

symmetrical/asymmetrical biphasic pulsed current

Question 35

Small electrodes are used for (less/more) current density compared to large electrodes

Answer 35

more

Question 36

(small/large) electrodes have a better selectivity.

Answer 36

small

Question 37

(small/large) electrodes provide a more painful contraction

Answer 37

small

Question 38

(small/large) electrodes provide a stronger contraction WITHOUT pain

Answer 38

larger

Question 39

A patient will get a greater current spread with the electrodes being placed (closer/further away) from each other

Answer 39

further away

Question 40

What electrode setup is commonly used for wound healing, edema, and iontophoresis?

Answer 40

monopolar (single electrode with dispersive electrode)

Question 41

What electrode set up is commonly used for muscle activation and pain modulation?

Answer 41

bipolar

Question 42

What electrode setup is used primarily for pain modulation?

Answer 42

quadripolar

Question 43

What are precautions for electrotherapy?

Answer 43

- poor skin condition - excessive swelling - excessive adipose - avoid carotid artery - phrenic nerve - PVD - implanted devices

Question 44

What are contraindications for electrotherapy?

Answer 44

- pacemakers - pregnancy - poorly controlled epilepsy - acute DVT - complete peripheral nerve lesion - Cancer - infection