basic terms
a positively or negatively charged particle
What is an ion
Unidirectional flow of electrons for at least one second
What is direct current (DC)
Must be obtained to acheive muscle strengthening
What is a tetanic muscle contraction
Pain existing for 3 to 6 months or that persists beyond the normal time expected for healing
Chronic Pain
Can be adjusted to improve tolerance to electrical stimulation and therefore increase intensity (Amplitude)
Frequency
subatomic particles of matter possessing a negative electrical charge and very small mass
What is an electron
current that periodically changes its polarity or direction of flow
What is alternating current (AC)
the ratio of on:off time, which can be modified to prevent fatigue when using NMES
Duty Cycle
Nerve fibers that are unmyelinated and transmit Chronic pain
C Fibers
Least effective electrical stimulation for a patient taking Opiod medications
Low Rate (acupuncure like) TENS
the difference between charged particles at a higher and lower potential
What is electrical potential
the intensity of the current flow as indicated by the height of the waveform from the baseline
What is amplitude
Place where the greatest motor response is found for a given amount of stimulation
What is a motor point
Fibers that are stimulated to activate inhibitory circuits in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord
What are A-Beta Fibers
Risk of E-stim when using on a patient with impaired sensation
Electrical Burns
the flow of electrons
What is current
Total time elapsed from beginning to end of all phases including interphase interval
What is pulse duration
Key difference between NMES and FES
NMES is for skeletal muscle strengthening, and FES is for activation of skeletal muscle for functional movement training.
Prevents or decreases sensory habituation or accomodation
Modulation or Sweep Frequency
This type of motor contraction elicits small motor units before large
Voluntary muscle contraction
the path of current from a generating source through the various components back to the generating source
What is a circuit
the opposition to electron flow in a conducting material
What is electrical impedance or resistance
This parameter must be adjusted to acheive a stronger musclec contraction
Pulse duration
Area of the brain that is activated by stimulation of A-beta fibers during Low Rate Tens
Periaqueductal grey matter (brain stem)
Most appropraite electrical modality for pain modulation during the Acute phase of injury
Conventional TENS