Modalities Flashcards
What is a modality?
Often think of PAMS, but a modality is any applied therapeutic agent or regimen.
The evolution of modalities
The traditional modality of OT was crafts
The term modality, has a broader definition
The modality or occupation are variable and based on level of expertise
But no matter what they have a therapeutic effect that impacts occupation and function
Other modalities (NOT PAMs)
Purposeful activity-crafts, ADL
Therapeutic exercise
Talk therapy
Biofeedback
Facilitation and inhibition techniques
AROM, AAROM, PROM
How are PAMs used?
In OT, we use these as adjunct or preparatory modalities
What qualifies as adjunct or preparatory?
Medium
The means (the thing) by which the therapeutic effect is transmitted
- theraball
- exercise class
- ADL class
- ultrasound
For Example, if you are trying to increase AROM, the medium could be: exercise bike, theraball, ultrasound
Method
Steps and sequence or approach used to activate the medium
- 10 min on the exercise bike
- 3 sets of 10 ball lifts
- 3 mhz, .8 intensity for 6 min
What mediums might you use to increase independence with dressing?
Hot pack - to decrease viscosity and pain and increase ROM
Theraputty - provide resistance to increase grip strength for dressing
Ultrasound - decrease inflammation
Massage - decrease edema, increase aROM to make dressing easier
ADL group - facilitate motor learning
Functional activity - promote strength and endurance
What methods might you use with heat increase independence with dressing?
Hot pack:
- 15 minutes
- apply towel
- check skin
- remove heat
AOTAs stance on PAMs
- PAMs must enhance the patients ability to perform purposeful activity or increase the ability to participate in daily occupations
- The therapist must have documented proof they have been trained in the appropriate use of the PAM
You must meet both of these requirements!
You must meet AOTA’s Guidelines no matter what
- this includes the Code of Ethics (competency)
Than you have State Licensure Requirements
- get a state and report back
Documenting PAMs
What was applied and the parameters
- dosage: the temperature or hz
- duration: the time
- even if you don’t charge for it
Site of application
Treatment duration
Physiological response from treatment
- skin was unremarkable and pt reports pain has decreased
- tissue was pliable
Responses from patient
What is a PAM?
Interventions or technologies that produce a response in soft tissue through the use of light, water, temperature, sound , electricity, or mechanical devices.
Can hurt people
PAMs don’t cure anyone.
- they enhance intervention
4 primary classifications of PAMs:
- Superficial thermal
- Deep thermal
- Electrotherapeutic
- Mechanical
Primary mechanisms of heat transfer to the body
Conduction
Convection
Radiation or conversion
Conduction
Superficial
1-3 cm
There is direct contact between the body and the heat or cold source. The temperature conducts between one to the other.
- Paraffin: 125-130º
* Immersion, dip, brushing
- Hot packs 160-175º for container, pack 104-113º
- Ice pack
Convection
Superficial
1-3cm
Particles or molecules such as air or water move across the body
Heat tissue by fluid motion around tissue
- fluidotherapy: 115º
- whirlpool (hydrotherapy): 100-104º for heat, 90-100º for wound
* if you exceed 100º on a wound, you will create wound death
Indications for superficial thermal agents
Subacute and chronic inflammation
Subacute and chronic pain
Subacute edema removal
Decrease ROM
Trigger points
Muscle guarding or spasm
Subacute muscle strain
Subacute ligament sprain
Subacute contusion
Precautions for superficial thermal
Monitor blood pressure, respiration, skin color
Client comfort
Discontinue if:
- redness
- blisters
- petechiae: red vessels, rash-like
Contraindications for superficial heat
Very old or very young
Tissue compromise (wound)
- creates cell death
Impaired sensation
Impaired or surgical vascular structure
- heat causes dilation of blood vessels, may rip through stitches
Malignancies: cancer
- may increase distribution of cancer cells
Acute inflammation (edema)
DVT
- can cause it to bust
Pregnancy
- not over belly
Bleeding tendency (Coumadin)
Primary tendon or ligament repair
Advanced cardiac disease
Impaired mental ability
Semi-comatose
Compromised circulation
PVD
Open wounds or skin conditions
Superficial thermal examples
Impacts skin and subcutaneous tissue to 1-3cm
Hydrotherapy or whirlpool - convection
Cryotherapy, icepacks, ice bath (limb) - conduction
Ice massage - convection
Hot pack (thermotherapy) - conduction
Warm soak, contrast bath - conduction
Paraffin - conduction
Water - conduction
Infrared heating - conduction
Dosage for superficial heat
Goal is to get tissue 102-113º
Hotter is not better, above 113º (tissue temp)
- Results in catabolism and cell death
Mild dose: changes temp less than 6º
- effect is somatosensory (feels good, that is it)
- elevates tissue temp to <104º
- slow rate and low increase in temperature
- short duration
Moderate dose: changes temp by about 6º
- effect is moderate increase in blood flow
- elevates tissue temperature to 102 - 106º
- effective when heat is indicated, but edema may occur
Vigorous Dose: increases temp by 14º
- effect is marked increase in temp and blood flow
- elevates tissue to 107-113º
- rapid rate and high increase in temp
- long duration
- may be beneficial for ischemic conditions when heat is indicated and edema is not a concern
* Decreases viscosity of tissue and interstitial fluids
Analgesic effect of superficial heat
pain releif
Vascular effects of superficial heat
Decreases muscle spasms
Histamines are released
Vasodilatation
- reduces ischemia and muscle spindle activity
Metabolic effects of superficial heat
Increased blood flow brings more O2, nutrients, and enzymes
Connective tissue responses to superficial heat
Extensibility of collagen and tissue (8-10 minutes after application)
- increases ROM
- decrease stiffness
Cryotherapy indications and what it does
Analgesia: through decreased nerve conduction
Slows the metabolic effect by decreasing edema and inflammation
- Short term: increase tone
- Long term: decrease tone
Vasoconstrictor (15 min or less), decreases motor unit firing
- decrease spasm
Vasodilation (15 min or more)
Precautions and contraindications of cryotherapy
Precautions:
- effects can last several hours
- rewarming takes at least 20 min
- monitor closely
- never longer than 20 min
- side effects: itching, hives, whelps
- can cause a temporary increase in BP
Contraindications:
- cold intolerant
- open wounds
- vascular repairs
- raynaud’s
- PVD
- avoid superficial nerves
How temperature change occurs in cryotherapy
Conduction
- Icepacks
Convection
- Whirlpool
- Ice massage
Evaporation
- Sweat
- Fluori Methane spray
Benefits and utilization of cryotherapy
Cold-stinging/burning-aching-numb
Cheap, easy to use at home
Ice pack: 30-45º for15-20 min
Ice massage: 5-10 min
Cold immersion/whirlpool-35-75º for 15 min
Ice towel: change out every 5-6 min
Cold compression units: 50-70º for 15-20 min
Fluori-menthane
Contrast bath
Combination of warm (vasodilatation) and cold (vasoconstriction)
Pain-Edema-Circulation (healing)
Hot-100-110 degrees
Cold 60-70 degrees
Contrast bath indications
Edema removal
Pain reduction
Subacute or chromic inflammation
Impaired circulation
Contrast bath contraindications
Acute injuries
Hypersensitivity to cold
Open or infected wounds
Contraindications related to heat and cold
Ice bath
0-27º C (30-60ºF) (not very uniform!)
Water and ice
10-20 minutes (the colder, the shorter)
Warm soak
Upper extremity: 100-105º
Lower extremity: 100-102º
Total body: 95-98º
Deep modalities
Those modalities that produce heat/effect greater than 3cm
Electric modalities
Radiation modalities
Laser
Therapeutic ultrasound
Different from diagnostic or surgical
Up to 5cm
Works by converting electrical energy to ultrasonic energy
- A crystal in the head vibrates to create the sound waves which in turn cause the muscle tissue to “vibrate”
- Sound waves enter the body. The molecules in the way are pushed aside (back and forth by the alternating phases of the waves)-this is a one way, longitudinal wave.
- The sound waves travel best through solids (bone and dense tissue), less through liquid (blood)
- Impacts tissue by cavitation and acoustic streaming
Ultrasound equipment
A standard ultrasound unit:
- A generator (the box): the power supply, an oscillator circuit transformer
- Coaxial cables
- Transducer: contains the crystal
* New ones don’t break
* Also called the head
* Various sizes
* The head should be approximately ½ the size of the treatment area
Ultrasound ERA
Effective Radiating Area
Usually found on the tag
How much of the head is actually producing waves
The higher the better
Ultrasound BNR
Beam non-uniforming ration
- The smaller the better(6:1 or less)
- The waves are non uniform by nature, this is an indication of just how non uniform they are 1-6 W/cm2
- The peaks are what cause discomfort or hot spots
- Anything above 8W/CM2 is dangerous
Continuous ultrasound physiological effects
Increase tissue extensibility
Increase blood flow
Decrease pain (by way of increasing pain threshold)
Increase enzymatic activity
Increase metabolic rate
Reduce spasms
Stable cavitation (good)
Cellular perm-fluid movement
Unstable Cavitation-occurs when the gas bubble expand and collapse in the blood stream-causes pain and discomfort; occurs when intensity is too high
Pulsed ultrasound physiological effects
Increase cell permeability and diffusion
Increase histamine, protein/collagen synthesis
Decrease pain
Increased cell permeability-due to cavitation
Increased cell diffusion-acoustic streaming
Increased tissue repair
Micromassage, to decrease pain
Increases phagocytic activity and the mobility of fibroblasts
Vasoconstriction and dilation: edema
Increase tissue repair by increasing histamines, granular activity and increasing phagocyte cells: due to acoustic streaming
Phonophoresis
Ultrasound (thermal or non thermal) is often said to “drive” meds, usually, anti-inflammatory, lidocaine or corticosteroids.
It softens the stratum corneum and allows for enhanced absorption of a topical medication
1. Must be TOPICAL and intended to be used with US
2. Must be tested and approved with ultrasound
Contraindications of ultrasound
Acute injury if 100%
Breast implants
Blood clots
Joint cement or prosthesis
Pace makers
Growth plate of children
Unprotected nerve or spinal cord
Eye
Heart
Pregnant uterus
Testes
Thrombosis
Freshly repaired tendon or bone
Infection or malignancy
Organs