Week 9 (Heat and Cold)

Question 1

Physiological effects of heat therapy

Answer 1

• Increase metabolic rate
• Vasodilation and increased blood flow
• Reduce blood and tissue fluid viscosity
• Increase collagen extensibility
• Stimulation of sensory nerves

Question 2

Therapeutic effects of heat therapy

Answer 2

• Pain relief
• Reduced muscle spasm
• Increase ROM
• Relaxation
• Facilitate clearance of chronic oedema
• Facilitate tissue healing

Question 3

Contraindications to heat therapy

Answer 3

• Conditions that spread easily e.g. tumours, infection
• Circulatory insufficiency
• Existing conditions that can be exacerbated: areas recently treated with radiotherapy, hemorrhagic disorders, severe organ states, skin conditions, open wounds
• Heat applied to eyes or testes
• Sensory loss
• Inability to communicate

Question 4

Application of heat therapy

Answer 4

• Treatment time: 20 mins
• Check for adverse reactions: at start of treatment, 8 minutes and after
• Observe skin and ask patient regarding the temperature of the pack
• Re-assess patients
• Document treatment

Question 5

Physiological effects of cold therapy

Answer 5

• Decrease metabolic rate (reduces tissue damage from secondary hypoxia and enzyme activity)
• Vasoconstriction and decreased blood flow
• Increased blood viscosity
• Stimulation of sensory nerves
• Reduced nerve conduction velocity

Question 6

Therapeutic effects of cold therapy

Answer 6

• Pain relief
• Reduce inflammation and swelling
• Limits secondary tissue damage due to hypoxia
• Reduced muscle spasm due to reduced pain
• Increase ROM due to reduction in swelling

Question 7

Application of cold therapy

Answer 7

10-20 minutes: hour break in between

Check for adverse reactions at start of treatment, 5 minutes after then regularly and after treatment

Question 8

Hot or cold therapy

Answer 8

• Chronic conditions appear to benefit equally from hot and cold
• Acute injuries with swelling and inflammation respond better to cold (6-24 hours)
• Heat for muscle pain or stiffness
• Cooling may have benefits around preventing secondary tissue damage
• Applying heat to a bleed or oedema will cause them to increase

Question 9

Contraindications to cold therapy

Answer 9

• Circulatory insufficiency
• Existing conditions that can be exacerbated
• Sensory loss
• Unable to communicate
• Hypersensitive patients
• Angina

Question 10

How to document heat/cold therapy

Answer 10

20 min hot/cold pack to R knee / nil adverse reaction
CI tick, H/C tick, W tick, IC tick
AROM knee F - P1 2/10 @ 110