Intro to Thermal Agents Flashcards
Specific Heat
amount of energy required to raise the temp. of a given wt. of a given material by a given # of degress
Fluidotherapy
therapy where warmer thermal agents are applied at lower temp.
Conduction
heating by direct contact b/w warmer and colder molecules
How many layers of towels should be placed b/w pt. and hot pack?
6-8
Convection
heat transfer that occurs as the result of direct contact b/w a circulating medium and another material of a different temp.
What type of heat transfer occurs in a whirlpool?
convection
Conversion
heat transfer that involves the conversion of a nonthermal form of energy such as mechanical, electrical or chemical into heat (ex. ultrasound, diathermy)
Radiation
transfer of energy from a material of a higher temp. to a lower temp. w/ out the need for any type of medium or direct contact (ex. infrared lamps)
Evaporation
decrease in temp. due to a material absorbing the energy and then evaporating away. (ex. sweating, vapocoolant spray)
Cryotherapy
use of cold applications in rehabilitation and other areas of medicine (used for controlling inflammation)
What are the Neuromuscular effects to cold?
Decreased nerve conduction Velocity Increased pain threshold Altered muscle strength Decreased spasticity Facilitation of muscle contraction
Documentation of a modality includes:
Area treated Cooling agent Treatment duration Patient positioning Response to intervention
T/F? You check the area treated with a modality before AND after treatment.
TRUE!
What is the sequence of sensations in response to cryotherapy?
- intense cold
- burning
- aching
- analgesia
- numbness
T/F? Strength testing should be performed before rather than after cryotherapy application.
TRUE!
pg. 137
What are some types of application techniques of cryotherapy?
Cold/ice pack Ice massage Controlled mold compression unit Vapocoolant spray Gameready
What temperature should the tissue be kept at during a cryotherapy treatment?
> 15 degrees celcius
At what temperature does freezing/frostbite occur?
- 4 to - 15 degrees celcius
Give examples of contraindications for cryotherapy.
Cold hypersensitivity Cold intolerance Cryoglobulinemia Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria Reynaud's phenomenon Area of regenerating peripheral nerves Area of circulatory compromise
Give examples of precautions for cryotherapy.
Superficial main branch of nerve Open wound Hypertension Poor sensation Poor mutation Very young/very old
What are the hemodynamic effects of heat? (vasodilation or vasoconstriction)
Vasodilation
What are the neuromuscular effects of heat?
Changes in nerve conduction velocity and firing rate
Increased pain threshold
Changes in muscle strength
Why would you use superficial heat?
Pain control, increased ROM and decreased joint stiffness, accelerated healing, infrared radiation for psoriasis
What are the contraindications for thermotherapy?
Hemorrhage Thrombophlebitis Impaired sensation Impaired mentation Malignancy IR radiation of the eyes
What are some precautions for thermotherapy?
Acute injury/inflammation Pregnancy Impaired circulation Edema Cardiac insufficiency Metal Open wounds Topical counterirritant Demyelinated nerves
What are the top 4 adverse effects of thermotherapy?
Burns
Fainting
Bleeding
Skin/eye damage from IR
Does thermotherapy increase or decrease metabolic rate?
INCREASE
Does thermotherapy increase or decrease tissue extensibility?
INCREASE
What are some physiological reasons for vasodilation after thermotherapy?
Inflammation –> increase vasodilator (histamine and prostaglandin) release
Decrease sympathetic adrenergic activation
Smooth muscle relaxation
What are the 5 sequences of sensation?
- Intense cold
- Burning
- Aching
- Analgesia
- Numbness
What temperature water should hot packs be stored in?
70-75 degrees C (158-167 F)
How many towel layers should be between a hot pack and a patient’s skin?
6-8 layers of dry towels
What can be used to minimize heat loss when using paraffin?
Insulating mitts
What is a dry heating agent that transfers heat by convection?
Fluidotherapy
What affects the intensity of an IR lamp?
Both distance and angle of placement of the IR lamp
What is the approximate wavelength of IR lamps that are used in physical therapy?
750- 1300nm
What is a waxy substance that can be warmed and used to coat the extremities for thermotherapy?
Paraffin
What is an effect of IR radiation?
Superficial heating
What is the term that describes the angle at which a beam from an IR lamp contacts the skin?
Angle of incidence
When using a hot pack cover how many towel layers should still be used?
3-4 layers
