TENS
(TNS, TES): Transcutaneous
Electrical Nerve Stimulation. (Used for
pain control.)
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NMS
(FES, NMES, EMS, Muscle Stim): Neuromuscular
Stimulation (used for muscle re-ed,
prevention of disuse atrophy, range of
motion). NOTE: FES or Functional
Electrical Stim is similar.
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MICROCURRENT
(Microamperage, MENS): Uses low
output wide pulse width. Output current
is usually less than 600 microamps.
Indications of success are largely
anecdotal.
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AMPLITUDE
(Intensity): The level of output
current produced by a unit. Typically
given in milliamperes peak (thousandths
of an ampere < mA > ). Constant
current unit's voltage varies to deliver
required current to electrodes.
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PULSE
DURATION (Pulse
Width): The measure of time
duration of a pulse. Usually indicated in
microseconds (millionths of a second <
µsec. > ).
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FREQUENCY
(Rate): The fequency of a signal
in pulses per second (Hertz or Hz.).
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MICROCOULOMB:
The total energy in a pulse. Typically
the amplitude (mA) x the width (µsec.).
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MODULATION
MODE: Automatic cyclic
change in waveform parameters (frequency,
pulse duration, and/or amplitude) designed
to prevent accommodation.
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BURST
MODE: A series of higher
frequency pulses delivered in bursts at a
low rate. Designed for patient comfort
and is sometimes substituted for
acupuncture-like TENS.
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STRENGTH
DURATION MODE: Utilizes a
stimulation signal which tracks the
Strength Duration (SD) curve. The SD
curve is a family of curves -- on for
each nerve type which relates the nerve
firing threshold to the amplitude and
pulse width of the stimulating signal.
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WAVEFORM:
A pictorial representation of stimulation
signal as seen on an oscilloscope.
Usually seen as amplitude (current) vs
time (sec).
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DUTY
CYCLE (Control found
on NMS units): Stimulation
ON-OFF times to maximize muscle
contraction and minimize fatigue.
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RISE
TIMES/DECAY TIMES
(Control found on NMS units): Ramps
amplitude of stimulation current, both up
and down, to improve user comfort and
thus encourage compliance.
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FARADIC
CURRENT: Alternating current
(A/C) biphasic current designed to
deliver no DC current to the patient's
body. Used for pain control and NMS.
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| GALVANIC
STIMULATION: Direct (DC) or
monophasic current which delivers
electrical energy (net DC) to the
patient's body. May be delivered in
pulsed form. Mainly used for edema
reduction and and increasing or
decreasing circulation in a specific site
on the body. |
