Interferential and Russian Currents, Iontophoresis Flashcards
What are the four types of interferential current?
1 true interferential
2 pre-modulated
3 vector scan
4 stereodynamic
What levels of frequency penetrate deeper?
Medium and high
What is the frequency range for IFC?
3,000-5,000 Hz
How is the treatment frequency produced with IFC?
Interference of the 2 currents in the body
What determines the treatment frequency for IFC?
Type of pain (acute, subacute, chronic)
What kind of interference occurs when two sinusoidal waves that are exactly in phase combine to supplement each other?
Constructive
What kind of interference occurs when two sinusoidal waves are exactly out of phase and the result is a cancellation of both waves?
Destructive
What is heterodyne interference?
Combination of constructive and destructive interference resulting in a wave with a beat effect
What is the benefit of using a target?
Reduction of inaccuracy of therapy by targeting the painful tissues
What is the difference between premodulated and true interferential current?
Pre-mod interference occurs in machine NOT body
What is the purpose of pre-mod current?
Pain relief
Pre-mod currents are good for areas of what size?
Small (2 electrodes on either side of pain)
What is the benefit and downfall of bipolar electrode placement via pre-mod current?
Pro: more accuracy
Con: does not penetrate tissues as deep
What kind of electrode configuration is seen with vector scan?
Quadripolar
What kind of current is used with vector scan?
True interferential
What makes vector scan different from regular true interferential?
Amplitude varies between the channels causing the cloverleaf pattern to rotate and provide a larger treatment area
How many channels and electrodes are used in a stereodynamic current, and what interference pattern shape is created?
6-petal flower shape: 3 channels and 6 electrodes
What type of treatment is BETTER for muscle strengthening?
Russian stimulation (even though IFC can help a tad)
Does increased circulation occur with IFC?
No (sometimes appears that way due to suction electrode systems)
What are the contraindications for IFC?
1 anterior cervical area 2 through chest 3 through head 4 pacemakers and ICDs 5 abdomen, pelvis, lumbar areas of 1st tri pregnant women 6 metal implants 7 epilepsy 8 areas of hemorrhage 9 cancer 10 confused/unreliable patients 11 damaged skin 12 unknown etiology
What are the risks associated with IFC?
Skin irritation
What are the frequency ranges for acute, chronic, and subacute pain for IFC?
Acute = high setting 80-150, low settle 60-120 Chronic = 1-15 Subacute = 1-150
What is the usual treatment time for IFC?
15-20 minutes
What is the desired amplitude for IFC when treating pain?
Patient comfort (tingling or muscle twitch)
What is the desired amplitude for IFC when working on strength?
Patient tolerance
What is the duty cycle used for strength IFC treatment?
10:50 (10 seconds on, 50 off)
What is the main purpose of using Russian current?
To cause muscle contraction for muscle strengthening
What are the indications for Russian current?
1 muscle re-education
2 retard atrophy
3 muscle strengthening
4 decrease muscle spasm through fatigue
What level of burst frequency is used for Russian stimulation?
50 Hz
What is the duty cycle used with Russian current for muscle strengthening?
10:50
What is the duty cycle used with Russian current for muscle fatigue to decrease spasms?
10:10
What is the normal amplitude level for Russian stimulation?
Patient tolerance
What is the range for ramp time for Russian current?
.5-2 seconds
What is the usual electrode placement for Russian current?
Between muscle belly and tendon (along fibers of same muscle)
What is the specific location of the most alpha motor neurons in a muscle?
Motor points
Why would a quadripolar electrode configuration be used in Russian stimulation?
Larger muscles
What is the “normal” electrode placement for Russian stimulation?
Bipolar
Why would a bipolar electrode configuration be used in Russian stimulation?
Smaller muscles
What is the type of treatment seen with Russian stimulation where bilateral muscles are targeted that alway contract together (example = trapezoids)?
Co-contract
What type of treatment is seen with Russian stimulation where both agonist and antagonist muscles or muscle groups are targeted?
Reciprocal (quadripolar)
What is the duty cycle for reciprocal or alternate currents for Russian stimulation?
10:50
What is the term for the movement of ions across the skin under the direct influence of an electrical current?
Electromigration
What is Coulomb’s law?
Like charges repel and unlike charges attract
What is iontophoresis?
Local transfer of ionized substances such as drugs across the skin
