Interferential and Russian Currents, Iontophoresis

Question 1

What are the four types of interferential current?

Answer 1

1 true interferential
2 pre-modulated
3 vector scan
4 stereodynamic

Question 2

What levels of frequency penetrate deeper?

Answer 2

Medium and high

Question 3

What is the frequency range for IFC?

Answer 3

3,000-5,000 Hz

Question 4

How is the treatment frequency produced with IFC?

Answer 4

Interference of the 2 currents in the body

Question 5

What determines the treatment frequency for IFC?

Answer 5

Type of pain (acute, subacute, chronic)

Question 6

What kind of interference occurs when two sinusoidal waves that are exactly in phase combine to supplement each other?

Answer 6

Constructive

Question 7

What kind of interference occurs when two sinusoidal waves are exactly out of phase and the result is a cancellation of both waves?

Answer 7

Destructive

Question 8

What is heterodyne interference?

Answer 8

Combination of constructive and destructive interference resulting in a wave with a beat effect

Question 9

What is the benefit of using a target?

Answer 9

Reduction of inaccuracy of therapy by targeting the painful tissues

Question 10

What is the difference between premodulated and true interferential current?

Answer 10

Pre-mod interference occurs in machine NOT body

Question 11

What is the purpose of pre-mod current?

Answer 11

Pain relief

Question 12

Pre-mod currents are good for areas of what size?

Answer 12

Small (2 electrodes on either side of pain)

Question 13

What is the benefit and downfall of bipolar electrode placement via pre-mod current?

Answer 13

Pro: more accuracy
Con: does not penetrate tissues as deep

Question 14

What kind of electrode configuration is seen with vector scan?

Answer 14

Quadripolar

Question 15

What kind of current is used with vector scan?

Answer 15

True interferential

Question 16

What makes vector scan different from regular true interferential?

Answer 16

Amplitude varies between the channels causing the cloverleaf pattern to rotate and provide a larger treatment area

Question 17

How many channels and electrodes are used in a stereodynamic current, and what interference pattern shape is created?

Answer 17

6-petal flower shape: 3 channels and 6 electrodes

Question 18

What type of treatment is BETTER for muscle strengthening?

Answer 18

Russian stimulation (even though IFC can help a tad)

Question 19

Does increased circulation occur with IFC?

Answer 19

No (sometimes appears that way due to suction electrode systems)

Question 20

What are the contraindications for IFC?

Answer 20

1 anterior cervical area
2 through chest
3 through head
4 pacemakers and ICDs
5 abdomen, pelvis, lumbar areas of 1st tri pregnant women
6 metal implants
7 epilepsy
8 areas of hemorrhage
9 cancer
10 confused/unreliable patients
11 damaged skin
12 unknown etiology

Question 21

What are the risks associated with IFC?

Answer 21

Skin irritation

Question 22

What are the frequency ranges for acute, chronic, and subacute pain for IFC?

Answer 22

Acute = high setting 80-150, low settle 60-120
Chronic = 1-15
Subacute = 1-150

Question 23

What is the usual treatment time for IFC?

Answer 23

15-20 minutes

Question 24

What is the desired amplitude for IFC when treating pain?

Answer 24

Patient comfort (tingling or muscle twitch)

Question 25

What is the desired amplitude for IFC when working on strength?

Answer 25

Patient tolerance

Question 26

What is the duty cycle used for strength IFC treatment?

Answer 26

10:50 (10 seconds on, 50 off)

Question 27

What is the main purpose of using Russian current?

Answer 27

To cause muscle contraction for muscle strengthening

Question 28

What are the indications for Russian current?

Answer 28

1 muscle re-education 2 retard atrophy 3 muscle strengthening 4 decrease muscle spasm through fatigue

Question 29

What level of burst frequency is used for Russian stimulation?

Answer 29

50 Hz

Question 30

What is the duty cycle used with Russian current for muscle strengthening?

Answer 30

10:50

Question 31

What is the duty cycle used with Russian current for muscle fatigue to decrease spasms?

Answer 31

10:10

Question 32

What is the normal amplitude level for Russian stimulation?

Answer 32

Patient tolerance

Question 33

What is the range for ramp time for Russian current?

Answer 33

.5-2 seconds

Question 34

What is the usual electrode placement for Russian current?

Answer 34

Between muscle belly and tendon (along fibers of same muscle)

Question 35

What is the specific location of the most alpha motor neurons in a muscle?

Answer 35

Motor points

Question 36

Why would a quadripolar electrode configuration be used in Russian stimulation?

Answer 36

Larger muscles

Question 37

What is the "normal" electrode placement for Russian stimulation?

Answer 37

Bipolar

Question 38

Why would a bipolar electrode configuration be used in Russian stimulation?

Answer 38

Smaller muscles

Question 39

What is the type of treatment seen with Russian stimulation where bilateral muscles are targeted that alway contract together (example = trapezoids)?

Answer 39

Co-contract

Question 40

What type of treatment is seen with Russian stimulation where both agonist and antagonist muscles or muscle groups are targeted?

Answer 40

Reciprocal (quadripolar)

Question 41

What is the duty cycle for reciprocal or alternate currents for Russian stimulation?

Answer 41

10:50

Question 42

What is the term for the movement of ions across the skin under the direct influence of an electrical current?

Answer 42

Electromigration

Question 43

What is Coulomb's law?

Answer 43

Like charges repel and unlike charges attract

Question 44

What is iontophoresis?

Answer 44

Local transfer of ionized substances such as drugs across the skin