Intro to Physical Agents

Question 1

physical agent (modality)

Answer 1

energy and materials applied to patients to assist with rehabilitation

Question 2

categories of physical agents

Answer 2

thermal, mechanical, electromagnetic

Question 3

thermal agents

Answer 3

transfer energy to increase or decrease temperature, superficial or deep tissue

Question 4

thermotherapy (increase temperature)

Answer 4

use to increase circulation, metabolic rate, soft tissue extensibility, decrease pain

Question 5

superficial thermotherapy

Answer 5

moist hot pack, water

Question 6

deep thermotherapy

Answer 6

ultrasound, diathermy

Question 7

cryotherapy (decrease temperature)

Answer 7

use to decrease circulation, metabolic rate, pain

Question 8

superficial cryotherapy

Answer 8

cold pack, ice massage

Question 9

mechanical agents

Answer 9

apply force to increase or decrease pressure on body

Question 10

hydrotherapy

Answer 10

water with or without immersion, uses buoyancy to increase pressure of immersed body parts
- can provide resistance to motion and stabilize joints
- can be used for wound cleansing

Question 11

traction

Answer 11

reduce pressure on compressed nerves or joints

Question 12

compression

Answer 12

control or reverse edema by counteracting fluid pressure

Question 13

electromagnetic agents

Answer 13

apply energy in form a electromagnetic radiation or electrical current

Question 14

electromagnetic therapy

Answer 14

ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation, diathermy (more common)

Question 15

electrical current therapy

Answer 15

electrical stimulation to produce muscle contractions (motor), sensory changes (sensory level), reduce edema, accelerate healing
- wave current, intensity, and duration are altered depending on purpose

Question 16

generic absolute contraindications

Answer 16

pregnancy, malignancy (cancer), pacemaker/implanted electronic device, impaired sensation, impaired mentation (cognitive)

Question 17

relative contraindication (precaution)

Answer 17

conditions in which particular treatment should be used with special care or limitations

Question 18

absolute contraindication (contraindication)

Answer 18

conditions in which treatment should NOT be applied

Question 19

criteria for selecting physical agents

Answer 19

goals, influencing impairments, most effective with least risks, “first do no harm”

Question 20

physical agent purposes

Answer 20

healing process, pain, motion restriction, muscle tone

Question 21

progression of physical agent use during the inflammation process

Answer 21

most use: inflammation phase
least to no use: maturation phase

Question 22

hypertonicity

Answer 22

tone can be increased in areas of pain or with central nervous system damage

Question 23

hypotonicity

Answer 23

tone can be limited due to pain or decreased neural impulse transmission (peripheral nerve injury)

Question 24

APTA statement interpretation

Answer 24

modalities should and can be used with other interventions to improve recovery

Question 25

practical application of physical agents

Answer 25

early rehab: more use middle of rehab: declined modality use end of rehab: limited to no use

Question 26

soap note implications

Answer 26

S: pt reports, improvements if any, response since last visit, current pain, etc. O: setting of modality, placement, duration, intensity (should be able to read and duplicate treatment) A: pt response to modality P: what you plan to do next visit

Question 27

physical agent use - immediate injury/acute inflammation

Answer 27

- reduce bleeding and further damage, limit motion to prevent damage, compression for stabilization - control edema, pain, and bleeding

Question 28

physical agent use - chronic inflammation

Answer 28

prevent stiffness, loss of motion, improve circulation, control pain, progress to proliferative phase

Question 29

physical agent use - proliferative phase

Answer 29

control scar formation (collagen), ensure adequate circulation, regain ROM and strength

Question 30

physical agent use - maturation phase

Answer 30

control scar formation, regain ROM and strength

Question 31

physical agent use - acute pain

Answer 31

- address pathology and symptoms - slow or block nerve conduction or speed - endorphin release - control inflammation process - limit motion in painful area briefly - unload compressed tissue

Question 32

physical agent use - chronic pain

Answer 32

- address promotion of function - limit use of passive modalities - can use to promote activity tolerance and tissue mechanics

Question 33

physical agent use - referred pain

Answer 33

- address origin - can influence the dermatone area, etc. - not very effective

Question 34

physical agent use - complex regional pain syndrome

Answer 34

mild modalities to relieve pain symptoms and allow function

Question 35

physical agent use - motion restriction

Answer 35

- address reason for motion restriction - collagen is stretched most effectively when it is extensible, which can increase ROM - choose agent that addresses collagen extensibility

Question 36

physical agent use - muscle tone

Answer 36

- normally nerve pathology due to injury - agents can alter nerve conduction, sensitivity, direct muscle function, and indirect muscle function