Microcurrent Flashcards
True/False: Microamperage amplitude is insufficient to excite sensory or motor nerves
true
What term does the APTA recommend using for microcurrent?
low-intensity direct current (LIDC)
Any current below ___ amplitude is considered microcurrent.
1 mA
What is microcurrent electrical nerve stimulation (MENS)?
The therapeutic use of constant DC and pulsed currents in which the stimulus amplitude is in the microamperage (millionth of an ampere) range.
LIDC is DC or _________ _____ current with a peak current amplitude in the microamperage range.
monophasic pulsed
A typical LIDC has a pulse duration of ___sec; which is much longer than most other pulsed currents.
0.5
The frequency of most LIDC stimulators varies from __ to ___.
1-1,000 Hz
Can the patient feel the MENS unit?
no
What are the parameters of microcurrent?
- total current flow
- pulse frequency
- pulse duration
- phase duration
- total current flow: 1-999 mA (most common 25-600 mA)
- pulse frequency: 0.1-1000Hz
- pulse duration: 0.5-5000 micro sec
- phase duration: 0.5-5000 micro sec
What are the adjustable parameters of microcurrent?
- intensity
- polarity/alternating polarity
- ramp
- threshold - Ohm Meter
What is the theory behind microcurrent?
If human tissue repair is mediated in part by electrical signals, an electrical current applied to the injury site may enhance the injury process
What is the theory behind applying the anode or cathode over the wound bed with microcurrent?
The micro current helps in the galvanic attraction of these cells into the wound, and promote wound healing. Neutrophils, macrophages, and fibroblasts carry a positive or negative charge.
