Tens Flashcards
What is tens
The use of any type of electrical current that activates nerve fibers without disruption of the skin
Tens produces what in patients with chronic and acute pain
Analgesia
Adjustment to decrease or increase pain is achieved by
Gate- control theory
The two most basic type of electrical current used by tens is
Rectangular biphasic symmetrical pulsed current
Biphasic asymmetrical balanced pulsed current
Modes of tens
Conventional or high frequency tens Acupuncture or low frequency tens Brief intense tens Burst mode tens Modulated tens
Conventional tens OR HIGH FREQUENCY TENS AND LOW INTENSITY TENS
properties
Most comfortable application
Current transition time: 50-100 us
Frequency- 60-120 Hz
Activates the group 2 (ab ) afferent nerve fibers
Acupuncture tens OR LOW FREQUENCY HIGH INTENSITY
Time: 150-200
Frequency.1-5
Muscle contraction activates the group 3 alpha delta fibers
Which of the tens is described as Hyper stimulation analgesia
Brief intense tens
Combination of conventional and acupuncture
Burst tens
Devices used in tens
Stimulator types
Electrodes
What type of electrodes are for use after surgery
Special electrodes
Application areas for tens
Painful area
Dermatoms
Special placement points ( acupuncture or trigger points)
Electrode placements consist of
Double channel placement
Bilateral placement
Using a large number of electrodes
Getting into the circle
Dosage depends on
Tens mode selected and
Duration of application
Duration of application for tens
20-30 min
Applied continuously for 48 hours after surgery
In contradiction for tens if the electrodes are used in the thoracic area near the heart what happens
It may cause arrhythmia and fibrillation, respiratory distress
If the electrodes are used in the lower abdominal and pelvic region in pregnancy what happens
Affects uterine contraction and fetal development
Electrodes in the trans cervical area
Stimulates the Vagus nerve, phrenucus nerve and carotid sinuses
What type of tens mode have tetanic muscle contraction
Brief intense
Biophysical properties of tens
Pulsed duration
Pulse frequency
Current intensity
