Electrotherapy 101

Page history last edited by PBworks 5 years, 7 months ago

Basics

current density inversely proportional to electrode size longitudinal placement (parallel to mm fibers) is 4x more effective than transverse placement (perpendicular to mm fibers) constant voltage is safer, but constant current is more consistent and preferred because current is responsible for physiological changes motor point moves proximally for denervated muscles

Types of Current
Direct Current (DC)

"Galvanic current"
continuous flow in one direction for at least 1 sec iontophoresis, wound healing, stimulation of denervated muscle

Types

Alternating Current (AC)

"Faradic current"
Continuous flow in alternating directions stimulating inervated muscle, soft and osseous tissue regeneration, pain management

Types

Waveforms

Pulsatile Current (PC)

pulse isolated electrical event separated by time o finite time of charge movement periodic interruptions in current flow most common
o

Types

Characteristics of AC/PC

Qualitative o waveform; visual representation on a graph o number of phases current flow in one direction for a finite period o symmetry symmetrical: same shape and charge asymmetrical: different shape balanced: same charge (safer) unbalanced: different change development of net charge

unsafe naming: shape, balance, symmetry, phases, AC/DC/PC

Quantitative

amplitude-dependent peak amplitude peak-to-peak amplitude (highest (+) and lowest (-)) root mean square (RMS) effective current shape-dependent average current shape dependent

time-dependent

phase duration pulse width time from start to end of a phase pulse duration interphase/intrapulse interval interpulse interval rise time (0-peak) decay time (peak-0) on/off time duty cycle (on time:off time) period (time from one refernce point to the next) frequency/pulse rate period and frequency are inversely proportional phase charge pulse charge

Current Modulation

ramp up/down time refers to the entire duration of treatment; rise/decay time is for each individual pulse

Techniques
Monopolar

one active ("treatment" or "stimulating") electrode on target area larger, non-treatment ("return" or "dispersive") electrode in another area dermal ulcers, wound healing, edema, iontophoresis, stimulation of smaller mm (eg. facial mm)

Bipolar

both electrodes on target area mm disuse atrophy, neuromuscular facilitation, ROM limitation, protective mm spasm, most circulatory disorders

Electrodes
Anode (+)

attracts anions, repels cations acidic (HCl formation) proteins solidify; tissues harden hyperpolarization; sedative few, large O2 bubbles red

Cathode (-)

attracts cations, repels anions alkaline (NaOH formation) proteins liquefy; tissues soften depolarization; stimulant many small H bubbles black