LOW FREQUENCY CURRENTS
Dr.junaid
TEACHING ASSISTANT
IPM&R KMU
LOW FREQUENCY CURRENTS
Are those current in which direction of electrons
flow changes periodically with frequency varies
from 1-2000 Hz
TYPES
Faradic current
Modified faradic current
Galvanic current
Sinusidal current
Didynamic current
FARADIC TYPE CURRENT
Faradic type current is short duration interrupted current with
pulse duration of 0.1–1 ms and frequencies between 50–100 Hz,
used for the stimulation of muscles.
Its an unevenly alternating current with each cycle consisting of
two unequal phases.
1. Low intensity long duration current
2. High intensity short duration current
DOSAGE
Frequency : 50-100 HZ
Pulse length : 0.02-1.00 ms
Pulse type : unsurged or surged faradic
current
Dose : 15-20 contraction per nerve (as whole
90 contraction for muscle activation )
MODIFIED FARADIC CURRENT
For better results in the treatment, faradic current is always
surged to produce a near-normal tetanic-like contraction and
relaxation of the muscle.
The apparatus should have sufficient control to surge the
current so that the intensity of successive impulses increases
gradually with surges varying in waveform to provide
satisfactory muscle contraction and relaxation.
In surged currents, the intensity of the successive impulses
increases gradually, each impulse reaching a peak value greater
than the preceding one then falls either suddenly or gradually.
Surges can be adjusted from 2 to 5-second surge, continuously or
by regularly selecting frequencies from 6 to 30 surges / minute.
Rest period (pause duration) should be at least 2 to 3 times as long
as that of the pulse to give the muscle the sufficient time to
recover (regain its normal state).
UNMODIFIED AND MODIFIED (SURGED)
FORM OF FARADIC CURRENT
USES
For Stimulating Innervated Muscle.
Re-education Of Muscle Action.
Train New Muscle Function.
Strengthen Healthy Muscle.
Prevent Disuse Atrophy.
Maintain Or Improve Joint Mobility.
Prevent Or Stretch Adhesions.
Promotes Peripheral Circulation.
Prevent Fibrotic Changes.
Provide Proprioceptive Feedback
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Skin lesions and dermatological disorders
Infectios
Inflamations
Thrombosis
Active TB or cancer
Metal implant (pace maker )
CLINICAL APPLICATION
Explain the treatment fully to the patient
Position the patientin a comfortable position
Skin should be uncovered
Examined for contraindications
Test the equipment
Start from zero intensity before begening of
treatment.
GALVANIC CURRENT ( DC OR
CONSTANT GALVANISM )
Direct current also referred as galvanic current or constant
galvanism which has a unidirectional flow of electrons toward the
positive pole .
It is very painful to patients because it is unidirectional.
To overcome this, regular pause can be given between stimulation
(Interrupted Galvanic Current)
Constant direct current is used for Iontophoresis.
IGC is used for denervated muscle stimulation.
It is a direct Current used to activate muscle directly, without
activation of the peripheral nerve.
Direct muscle stimulation requires pulse or phase durations of at
least 1 milliseconds, and more often uses even longer durations.
Dosage: A regular 20-30 contractions with an average of 90- 200
contractions per muscle per day.
Cease when motor point responds to faradic current.
The rise and fall of the intensity may be sudden and may be
rectangular, saw tooth, triangular and trapezoidal type.
USES
Appropriate electrical stimulation can cause
a denervated muscle to contract.
Contraction of a denervated muscle may
help limit edema and venous stasis within
the muscle, and therefore delay muscle fiber
degeneration and fibrosis.
Recovery time following denervation appears
to be shortened with appropriate electrical
stimulation.
SINUSOIDAL CURRENT
Sinusoidal currents are evenly alternating sine wave currents of 50
Hz. This gives 100 pulses or phases in each second , 50 in one
direction and 50 in another.
It is produced from the mains by reducing the voltage to 60–80 V
with a step-down transformer. It is usually surged to cause
rhythmical muscle contractions. It relieves pain and reduces
edema.
INDICATIONS
Moderate surging has an effect to cause
contraction and relaxation of the muscle.
Pain & spasm control
Reduce edema
Rapid surging is beneficial LMNs
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Insert a pace maker
Recent or non union fracture
Recent scar
Over abrasion
Hemorrhagic part
Near an abcess
Any condition where muscle contraction
causes delay in healing process .
DIADYNAMIC CURRENTS
Introduced by Pierre Bernard nearly 70 years ago,
Is a tpye of low frequency current involves a single or
double phase rectification of AC current introducing
them in a combine or continous form to produce
sensory or motor effect.
The DF (fixed diphase) this is a full wave rectified AC current
with afrequency of 50 HZ . The primary effect of this type of
current is muscle stimulation.
The MF (fixed manophase) this is a half wave rectified AC current
with a frequency of 50 HZ . The patient feels a stabbing sensation
in the treated area. The stimulus is less than that of the DF and
primarily affects the autonomic nervous system in the sense of
lowering the increased sympathetic tone.
The short-period current (SP) : equal phases of DF and MF are
alternated without interval phase. The patient senses the abrupt
change between the tensing MF current and relaxing DF current.
In the long-period (LP) current, : this consist of 1o sec of MF
followed by 5 sec phase of DF in which the peak intensity is
varied with a tendency to rise and fall. The gradual raising and
lowering of the amplitude is experienced by the patient as a more
pleasant sensation than that produced by SP
In the syncopated rhythm (RS) :this consist of 1 sec MF followed
by 1sec of rest phase. This type of current is used for the electrical
stimulus of the muscles
DOSAGE
Intensity :it should be increased gradually
untill vibration or prickling senation occurs.
Duration ; not more than 12 min.
Frequency: daily or every other day for 12
sessions.
THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS (RENNIE, 1988)
Pain relief
Decrease inflammation and swelling
Muscle reeducation
Increase local circulation
Facilitation of tissue healing.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Open skin : broken areas can be insulated by
veseline.
Bony areas : it may produce burn
Loss of sensation
Skin lesions
Infections
Thrombosis
Cardiac pace maker
Superficial metal
THANKYOU
