MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

PTA214  2007 Fall – 2010 Spring

Electromodalities

1.

Describe the biophysical reaction during specific types of human muscular contractions. (I)

2.

Describe the theories of application of electrical currents for physical therapy. (I, II)

3.

Describe the biophysical effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) used in physical therapy. (II)

4.

Apply TENS to select patients in the physical therapy practice setting using safe and appropriate techniques. (II

5.

Describe the biophysical effects of low volt, high volt, and interferential electrical stimulation devices on human. (II)

6.

Apply low volt, high volt, and interferential current electrical stimulation devices to select patients in the physical therapy practice setting demonstrating safe and appropriate techniques. (II)

7.

Describe the neurophysiological effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). (II)

8.

Apply NMES to selected patients in the physical therapy practice setting demonstrating safe and appropriate techniques. (II)

9.

Describe the effects of use of direct current in physical therapy. (II)

10.

Apply direct current to selected patients in the physical therapy practice setting demonstrating safe and appropriate techniques. (II)

11.

Describe the biophysical rationale for the use of biofeedback in physical therapy (II)

12.

Use biofeedback on selected patients in the physical therapy practice setting demonstrating safe technique and maintaining professional standards . (II)

13.

Document the use of therapeutic electricity and the patient response in accordance with professional guidelines. (II)

14.

Describe the uses and diagnostic implications of electrical nerve tests for specific patients in physical therapy. (III)

15.

Describe the biophysical mechanisms for the breakdown of human skin and the process of tissue repair in wound healing. (IV)

16.

Describe uses of electrical currents in physical therapy for osteogenesis, edema reduction and the pelvic floor. (V)

17.

Given a specific patient problem, explain the rationale for using specific electrical current modalities for treatment. (VI)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

PTA214  2007 Fall – 2010 Spring

Electromodalities

I. Therapeutic Electricity Fundamentals

A. Fundamentals of electricity

B. Effect of electrical stimulation of nerve and muscle

C. Clinical uses of electrical stimulation

D. Parameters and waveforms

II. Application of Therapeutic Electricity

A. Types of therapeutic electricity

1. tens

2. neuromuscular stimulation

3. high volt

4. interferential

5. direct current

6. iontophoresis

7. stimulation of denervated muscle

8. biofeedback

9. microcurrent

10. surface electromyography

B. Biophysical effects

C. Application parameters

D. Indications/contraindications/precautions

E. Application techniques

F. Safety

G. Documentation

H. Professionalism

III. Electrical Nerve Tests

A. Nerve conduction tests

1. motor

2. sensory

B. Electromyography

IV. Wound Management

A. Causes of skin breakdown

1. pressure ulcers

2. burns

3. vascular insufficiency

4. other

B. Tissue repair and healing

C. Wound classification and measurement

D. Debridement and dressing techniques

E. Documentation

V. Additional Uses of Electrotherapy

A. Osteogenesis

B. Edema reduction

C. Pelvic floor

D. Other

VI. Clinical Applications

A. Case studies

1. patient problems

2. modalities

B. Documentation of wound care