Treatment parameters Flashcards
Ultrasound parameters
- Mode - use a pulse of continuous to utilise healing effect and minimise heating
- Duty cycle is the percentage of time that US is generated ie 1:3 = 25%
- Mark:space ratio = ration of pulse length to the interval eg 1:3
- Acute 1:3 (25%) and 1:4 (20%)
- Subacute is 1:1 (50%) - Frequency
- 1Mhz-3Mhz
- Determines the depth of tissue penetration not intensity (3 for superficial)
- Intensity
- SAI of 3W/CM squared is a safe limit for therapeutic uses
- Acute = 0-0.5
- Chronic = 0.5-1
- If doing through water than add 20% (x by 1.20)
- Duration
- 30 sec acute - 2 min chronic per ERA
TENS parameters
Acute settings:
- Narrow pulse width 50-100
- High pulse rate 80-200
- Intensity is when patient feels tingles
Chronic settings:
- Wide pulse width 150-200
- Low pulse rate 1-10
- Intensity to tolerance (wanting to hit pain fibers)
Modes:
- Normal is for pain gaiting
- Modulated is for endogenous analgesia
- Burst is for both
IFTparameters
Acute Settings:
- Low intensity
- High frequency 80-150
- Short treatment time 10-20
- Sweep 6 sec up and 6 down
Chronic Setting:
- High intensity
- Low frequency 1-25
- Long treatment time 20-60
- Sweep 1 sec up and 1 down
- A little muscle contraction is ok with this
Common red flags
Red flags
- Circulatory insufficiency → diabetes
- Lack of thermal sensation
- Pace makers in electrical stimulation
- Thrombosis
- Superficial metal in electrical stim
Common yelow flags
Yellow flags
- Unable to communicate
- Sensory loss
- Skin irritation or open wounds (unless in area of application)
Stimulation parameters for shoulder subluxation
- Frequency = 30 Hz
- Pulse width = 200
- Stim time = 30 secs and 5 seconds off. Need to build up to this, i.e. start with 10 on and 2 off
- Ramp = 1 up and 1 down
- Intensity at level of contraction
- Dosage 1-2 times per day. 1 hour per day and work towards 6 per day.
HGVS parameters
- Frequency
- 35-50, 50-100 for larger muscles groups
- Cycle time
- Exercise parameters will determine this
- Sweep
- Continuous for motor, add for swelling
- Polarity
- Negative
- Ramp
- 2 seconds
- Amplitude
- Obtain muscle contraction
How does heat speed up the heeling process
Increases metabolic activity
Decreases fluid viscosity
Vasodilation
Increases fluid exchange across capillary walls
Physiological effects of heat packs and wax
Speeds up healing process
Increases collagen extensibility
Relieves pain
Reduces muscle spasm
Heals tissue via increased fluid exchange
Heat is targeting pain via neuromatrix therefore setup of patient is very important
When would you use a heat pack
‣ Tissue healing (sub-acute to chronic inflammatory phases)
‣ Relief of pain (most common use)
‣ Reduction of muscle spasm
‣ Sedative effect
‣ Increase joint ROM
‣ Prophylaxis of pressure sores
‣ Chronic oedema
‣ Precursor to other treatment (eg. stretching, joint mobilisation, massage)
Dosage of heat pack, time, layers
Time: 15—20 mins for
superficial heating
Layers: 1-2 cm or 6-8 layers
depending on the desired
heat intensity for specific
pathology
When would you use wax over a heat pack
When you need to apply a heat treatment to areas of non uniform surface
Dosage of wax
6-8 layers of wax, give time for cooling between
15-20 mins
Make sure to wrap grease paper and towel around to prevent heat loss
Physiological effects of cryotherapy
- Decreases local blood flow
‣ SKIN: initial vasoconstriction of cutaneous
vessels, then after 5-10 mins vasodilation
occurs (hunter reaction)
‣ MUSCLES: vasoconstriction after 5-8 mins for
superficial structures, >10mins for deeper - Decreases metabolic rate: enhances the
survival of local cells as they demand less
oxygen and slows down inflammation - Affects peripheral nervous system: slows
conduction velocity and can release
endorphins and enkephalins - Relieves pain, relaxes muscles, and reduces
muscle strength, coordination and motor
skills when applied >30 mins - Stimulates and facilitates muscle activation
when applied <10 mins.
Thermal effects of ultrasound
‣ Increased metabolic activity
‣ Decreased fluid viscosity
‣ Vasodilation
‣ Increases collagen extensibility and aligns fibres
‣ Pain relief and reduction in muscle spasm
‣ Tissue healing
‣ Resolution of inflammation