9
8
ing directly through the area of pain or localized enervation), a quick pulse rate
(setting greater than 80Hz on the Pulse Rate Control) is desired. The patient
should not perceive individual pulses but rather have the sensation of steady
continuous stimulation.
When using point treatments, it has been suggested that slow pulses be
utilized (less than 10Hz). With this setting the patient should be able to slightly
perceive individual pulses.
When using multiple electrode placement strategies, such as combinations of
point and contiguous electrode placements, the quicker pulse rates are suggested.
Despite above recommendations, these individual patients may require slight varia-
tions of the above settings, according to the nature of their condition.
INTENSITY
Each patient responds differently to different levels of intensity, due to varying de-
grees of tissue resistance, enervation, skin thickness, etc. Intensity instructions
are therefore limited to the following settings:
Perception
–
The intensity is increased so that the patient can feel the stimulation,
but there is not any muscular contraction.
Slight Contraction
–
Intensity is increased to a barely visible muscular contraction
that is not strong enough to move a joint. When using low pulse rate settings, this
will show as individual twitches. At higher pulse rates there will simply be in-
creased muscle tension.
Strong muscular contraction is may be useful in spastic muscle group. The EMS
can be used in the circumstances to quickly break the spasm. Use a quick pulse
rate, wide pulse duration and set the intensity to visible contraction (still within
patient tolerance). Twenty or thirty minutes of such a tetanized muscular contrac-
tion will generally break the spasm. In all cases, if the patient complains that the
stimulation is uncomfortable, reduce intensity and cease stimulation.
CONTRACTION/RELAXATION
The contraction time and relaxation time of EMS is adjustable.
II. LABEL
The label attached to the back of device
contains important message about this
device- model, serial number, supply
voltage, the name of manufacturer, CE
number and classification. Please do not remove.
Chapter 9 : GRAPHIC SYMBOLS
1.
Note Operating Instructions
2.
Degree of Electrical Protection BF
3.
Do not insert the plug into AC power supply socket
4.
Direct Current (DC power source)
Chapter 10 : PARAMETER CONTROLS
PULSE DURATION
Wider pulse duration settings will deliver stronger stimulation for any given inten-
sity setting. As mentioned in the Controls section, by using a combination of
intensity and pulse duration, it is felt that various pulse widths are capable of stimu-
lating different muscles groups.
The wider pulse duration is needed to recruit motor fibres, whereas the narrow
pulse duration is used on the more sensory fibres.
PULSE RATE
The Pulse Rate (hertz or pulses per second) chosen depends greatly upon the
type of electrode placement given to the patient.
When using contiguous and dermatome electrode placements (i.e. stimulat-
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