Introduction to Electrotherapy

Question 1

Thermal Agents

Answer 1

Cold packs, ice, vapocoolant
cold bath/whirlpool
hot packs, paraffin, fluidotherapy

Question 2

Mechanical Agents

Answer 2

mechanical traction

compression stockings/bandages

Question 3

Electromagnetic Agents

Answer 3

TENS , NMES

Question 4

Electromagnetic & Thermal

Answer 4

UV
IR
Laser

Question 5

Mechanical and Thermal

Answer 5

Hydrotherapy & Ultrasound

Question 6

Cathode

Answer 6

gains electrons

• negatively charged
• black cord

Question 7

Anode

Answer 7

loses electrons

• positively charged
• red cord

Question 8

polarity

Answer 8

relative charge

Question 9

voltage

Answer 9

energy associated with movement of charge (volts)

-potential energy b/w 2 points

Question 10

current

Answer 10

rate of movement of charged particles in a conductor (I or amps)

transfer of energy that causes physiological change

Question 11

resistance

Answer 11

defines the ease of movement within the conductor

-relationship b/w voltage and current

Question 12

Ohm’s Law

Answer 12

I = V/R

V= I x R

as R increases, V needs to increase to maintain constant I

Question 13

good conductors

Answer 13

muscles, nerves, blood

Question 14

poor conductors

Answer 14

skin, adipose tissue

Question 15

conductors

Answer 15

allow charged particles to move easily in an electrical field

Question 16

resistance can be manipulated for our purpose through (decrease)

Answer 16

gels, sponges, wet gauze

Question 17

resistance can be manipulated for our purpose through (increase)

Answer 17

lotions, oils, dry skin & callus

Question 18

capacitance

Answer 18

property that allows the ability to store or release a charge

Question 19

impedance

can be overcome with

Answer 19

takes into account resistance and capacitance

can be overcome with higher frequencies (AC current)

Question 20

Direct Current

Answer 20

continuous uninterrupted flow of particles

continuous as long as circuit is closed

wound healing

Question 21

Alternating Current

Answer 21

uninterrupted bi-directional flow of particles

large muscles = russian stim

Question 22

alternating current effect on polarity

Answer 22

polarity reverses as electrons move in one direction and then in reverse

Question 23

pulsed current

Answer 23

uni or bi-directional flow interrupted for a period of time

each pulse is an isolated electrical event

Question 24

pulse

Answer 24

isolated electrical event

can be uni- or bidirectional

Question 25

pulse duration

Answer 25

time to complete one pulse which nerve fibers are you trying to stimulate?

Question 26

interpulse interval

Answer 26

time between pulses

Question 27

period

Answer 27

pulse duration + interpulse interval duration

Question 28

frequency

Answer 28

the number of pulses each second

Question 29

rise time

Answer 29

time for one pulse to reach its peak amplitude

Question 30

fall time

Answer 30

time for one pulse to return to baseline

Question 31

ramp up

Answer 31

time across successive pulse to reach a peak

Question 32

ramp down

Answer 32

returning to baseline

Question 33

modulation

Answer 33

can take place in amplitude, frequency, or pulse duration need to modulate in order to do pain treatment (stimulus will start to die off)

Question 34

duty cycle

Answer 34

(on time / on + off time ) X 100

Question 35

symmetry

Answer 35

phases must be mirror images of each other

Question 36

balance of charge

Answer 36

the area under the negative phase = the area under the positive phase

Question 37

primary parameters

Answer 37

pulse duration: > 400 usec amplitude: up to 100 mA frequency: up to 100 pps

Question 38

TENS

Answer 38

pain

Question 39

HPVC

Answer 39

wound healing | can be used under water

Question 40

NMES

Answer 40

stretching, strengthening, ROM

Question 41

Interferential stimulators

Answer 41

AC frequencies - pain

Question 42

Diadynamic (AC) stimulators

Answer 42

russian - alternating current

Question 43

Iontophoresis stimulators

Answer 43

drug delivery

Question 44

Microcurrent stimulator

Answer 44

low current | mimic body natural's biopotential (does not stimulate nerve of muscles)

Question 45

Monopolar placement

Answer 45

return electrode is far away - not apart of activation of muscles

Question 46

bipolar placement

Answer 46

using both anode and cathode to excite muscle

Question 47

quadripolar placement

Answer 47

interferential - pain treatment 2 channels / 4 electrode x pattern - causes new wave form (if you dont cross it is russian)