TENS

Question 1

Setting used for acute pain

Answer 1

Conventional high frequency tens

Question 2

Reasons for using TENS

Answer 2

Stimulate alpha fibers to block pain signals at spinal cord (pain control!)

Question 3

Conventional:

Frequency
Pulse Duration
Intensity

Answer 3

50-150 Hz or pps
50 -100 microseconds
strongest possible without musc contraction or increased pain

Question 4

What setting for chronic pain?

Answer 4

Acupuncture-like TENS (low rate TENS)

Question 5

Reason for using acupuncture-like TENS

Answer 5

Persisting pain or central sensitization

Question 6

Acupuncture-like:

Frequency:
Pulse Duration:
Intensity:

Answer 6

Frequency: below 10 (1-4 pps)
Pulse Duration: 200+ microseconds
Intensity: high enough for musc contractions

Question 7

What setting for procedural pain?

Answer 7

Brief Intense TENS

Question 8

Reason for brief intense TENS

Answer 8

When undergoing painful procedure, such as debridement, dressing changes, or painful manual therapy.

Question 9

Brief intense tens:

Frequency
Pulse duration
Intensity

Answer 9

100-150 pps
150-250 microseconds
highest tolerable intensity of brief period of time (15 min or less)