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