Electrical Currents in Rehabilitation: Types, Parameters, and Applications

CURRENT

Flow of electrons / flow of charged particles; Electrons or IONS

UNIT of CURRENT

Amphere

DIRECT/ MONOPHASIC CURRENT

Used for wound/tissue healing

ALTERNATING/ BIPHASIC CURRENT

Used for muscle contraction

VOLTAGE

Driving force of the electron

UNIT of VOLTAGE

Volts

RESISTANCE

Anything that opposes the flow of electrons

UNIT of RESISTANCE

Ohm

Ohm's law

Describes the relationship of V=IR/ V=AR (Ampharage)

ACCOMMODATION

Automatic rise in the threshold of excitation due to gradual increase in the intensity.

DUBOIS-REYMONS'S LAW

Intensity of stimulus; there must be a sudden change in the intensity of the stimulus to electrically stimulate a nerve or muscle.

CAPACITANCE

Ability to store electrical charges

UNIT of CAPACITANCE

Farad

RHEOBASE

Intensity of current needed by muscle to produce minimal muscle contraction; (N) value; 2-18mA or 5-35 v

CHRONAXIE

Time needed by the muscle to produce minimal muscle contraction; (N) value; <1 ms

PLEUGER'S LAW/POLAR FORMULA/ ERB'S LAW

CCC>ACC>AOC>COC; CCC is the best type of current to use in denervated muscle.

CCC

Cathodal Closing Contraction (Strongest)

ACC

Anodal Closing Contraction

AOC

Anodal Opening Contraction

COC

Cathodal Opening Contraction (Weakest)

Direct current (DC)

Continuous unidirectional flow of charged particles; Unipolar (starts with + ends with + or vice-versa).

Alternating current (AC)

Continuous bidirectional flow of charged particles; Bipolar.

LAW OF REPULSION

Cations and Anions need to repel for the medications to be absorbed.

Anode

The positive electrode.

Cathode

The negative electrode.

Clinical Applications in Rehabilitation

Production of muscle contractions, control of pain, and promotion of tissue healing.

FREQUENCY

Low Frequency Current: 1-1000Hz; Medium Frequency Current: 1000-10k Hz; High Frequency Current: > 10k Hz.

pulsed current (PC)

An interrupted flow of charged particles where the current flows in a series of pulses.