THE ROLE OF ELECTRICAL

STIMULATORS
IN CONTEMPORARY PHYSICAL
THERAPY
Presented by:
Anusuya Das.
Roll no.- 11931052001.
Department of Bio-Medical
Engineering.
Siliguri Institute of
 OVERVIEW

Physical Therapy Peripheral Nerve Stimulator

Electrotherapy Stimulators for pain &relief
General Principle Transcutaneous Electrical
Strength Duration Curve Nerve Stimulation
Types of Stimulators Interferential Current
Therapy
An Electrodiagnostic
Electrical Stimulation
Therapeutic Stimulator Applications
 PHYSICAL THERAPY

The treatment of physical

dysfunction or injury by the
application of modalities,
intended to restore or
facilitate normal function
or development.
ELECTROTHERAPY

The treatment of patients

by the application of an
electric current to
stimulate a tissue in order
to bring about
physiological changes for
therapeutic purposes.
 GENERAL PRINCIPLE

Brain

Spinal Cord

Stimulator

Limb
 STRENGTH DURATION
CURVE

Represents relationship between : Strength of stimulating current

and length of time it applied

to produce a response
TYPES OF STIMULATORS
Stimulators : Devices used to stimulate innervated muscles,
denervated muscles and nerves.

Galvanic
Faradic
Exponential
Interrupted Galvanic
Surged Faradic
TYPES OF STIMULATOR
WAVEFORMS

GALVANIC CURRENT
TYPES OF STIMULATOR
WAVEFORMS

FARADIC CURRENT
TYPES OF STIMULATOR
WAVEFORMS

EXPONENTIAL CURRENT
TYPES OF STIMULATOR
WAVEFORMS

INTERRUPTED GALVANIC CURRENT

TYPES OF STIMULATOR
WAVEFORMS

SURGED FARADIC CURRENT

 AN ELECTRODIAGNOSTIC
THERAPEUTIC STIMULATOR

Fig. Schematic diagram of a diagnostic/therapeutic stimulating unit

 PERIPHERAL NERVE
STIMULATOR
For treatment of pain originating
from peripheral nerves.

Different nerves stimulated:

median, ulnar, radial nerves.

Leads placed under skin

overlying nerves.

For treatment of chronic pain.

STIMULATORS FOR PAIN AND
RELIEF
ELECTRICAL SIGNAL
↓
NERVE SENSATION STOPS

↓
NATURAL PAIN RELIEVING SUBSTANCES
(ENDORPHINS)

↓
NO PAIN MESSAGES TO BRAIN
↓
TRANSCUTANEOUS
ELECTRICAL NERVE
STIMULATION
Transcutaneous or skin surface
application of electrical stimulus.
Impulses produced in battery
powered pulse generator.
Continuous mild stimulation.
Jams pain signals along nerves.
Results in analgesia.
Current intensity: 0-80 mA
Pulse frequency: 2-150 Hz
Pulse duration: 2-250 μs
INTERFERENTIAL CURRENT
THERAPY

Use a fixed carrier frequency of 4000 Hz.

Second adjustable frequency of up to 4400 Hz.
Fixed and adjustable frequencies combine (heterodyne).
Produce desired beat frequency or interference frequency.
Easier access to deep structures.
 APPLICATIONS OF ELECTRICAL
STIMULATIONVISION RESTORATION
EPILEPSY CONTROL
COCHLEAR IMPLANT
TREMOR CONTROL
CARDIAC PACING
PHRENIC PACING

CONTROL OF REACH- BOWEL EMPTYING

ING AND
GRASPING
SCOLIOSIS CONTROL BLADDER EMPTYING
AND CONTROL OF
MUSCLES EXERCISE INCONTINENCE

CONTROL OF STAND- WOUND HEALING

ING AND WALKING

SPASTICITY PAIN SUPPRESSION

REDUCTION
 CONCLUSION

A potential therapeutic tool.

Non- invasive, drug free, non addictive.

Functional restoration and pain control.

 REFERENCES
Khandpur R.S., “Handbook of Biomedical
Instrumentation”, Tata McGraw Hill
American Physical Therapy Association,
www.apta.org
www.electrotherapy.org
www.electrotherapymuseum.com
www.wikipedia.com
www.painjournalonline.com
THANK YOU

FOR YOUR
ATTENTION