what will patient report if the electrode has poor contact with the skin during nmes?

by Domingo Wolff 4 min read

Changes in the electrical properties of the electrode-skin …

30 hours ago NMES induces muscle contractions by electrical impulses that are delivered to the muscles through electrodes placed on the skin. NMES is frequently used for strength training in healthy subjects and athletes. ... during a 6-week trial. 14 NMES has been used for many years in an attempt to excite paretic muscle groups of the extremity affected ... >> Go To The Portal


Are NMES electrodes supposed to pull away from the patient?

One important thing to remember is that if the electrodes pull away from the patient, not only can it be uncomfortable for the patient but can interfere with your treatment. Most companies will require certification in use of their equipment to be able to purchase an NMES device or the electrodes.

What is the normal range of electrodes on NMES?

NMES deltoid (n=6) CON (n=5): PT 3.5×4.0 cm 1 channel Electrodes on supraspinatus: active 5 cm from acromion on supraspinatus fossa; 1 on acromion; minimal contraction of upper trapezius Electrodes on deltoid: active 5 cm distal to acromion on mid-deltoid; one on posterior axilla Sitting with arm on adjacent table Monophasic (negative) PC 20 Hz

What is the difference between NMES and recording electrodes?

2 channels Electrodes: on quads on rec fem and VM and on MP of VL Knee flex 60° CON: Recording electrodes: on rec fem, VM, and VL Knee flex 25–30° All sessions at clinic NMES: Asymmetric biphasic PC 50 Hz 200 μs ON:OFF 10:10 s Amplitude set to visible muscle contraction (70–120 mA) No voluntary Ex program CON:

What are the results of the NMES test?

Sagittal plane Kinematics pelvis, hip, knee, and ankle Max ankle DFL angle at swing Max ankle PFL at initial contact @ 0 and 4 wk Increased walking velocity No significant between-groups differences on all other outcomes Negative results may be explained by NMES being applied without voluntary contraction of ankle DFL (cyclical).

What are the contraindications for NMES?

Contraindications include spinal infection, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal cancers/neoplasms, osteoporosis, and evidence of spinal cord pressure. precautions include acute inflammation, joint hypermobility, and pregnancy.

What are the physiological effects of NMES?

In various patient groups such as COPD and CHF, NMES training improved muscle strength and respiratory function, and consequently, functional endurance as reflected by increased oxygen uptake and workload, longer endurance times and farther movement distances, often indexed by the 6-minute walk test (for reviews, see ...

What are some contraindications for using electrical stimulation?

AnswerElectrical Devices. The first red flag is use of a cardiac pacemaker or implanted electrical device. ... Malignant Tissue/Metastases. A second red flag that we want to be aware of is malignant tissue or the presence of metastases. ... Impaired/Absent Sensation. ... Epilepsy/Pregnancy. ... Thrombosis/Hemorrage. ... Cognition.

Can electrical stimulation cause damage?

Electrical stimulation (ES) induces muscle damage that is characterised by histological alterations of muscle fibres and connective tissue, increases in circulating creatine kinase (CK) activity, decreases in muscle strength and development of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

What are the physiological effects of electrical stimulation?

Blood flow within the muscle can be increased with electrical stimulation. Circulation can be stimulated through the pumping action created by rhythmical muscle con- tractions. Also, electrical stimulation causes an increase in the number of capillaries within the muscle.

What is the purpose of NMES?

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation or NMES uses a device that sends electrical impulses to nerves. This input causes muscles to contract. The electrical stimulation can increase strength and range of motion, and offset the effects of disuse.

What is the main contraindication for the use of a TENS machine?

Pregnancy, epilepsy, and pacemaker are all contraindications for TENS.

Does electrical stimulation increase blood flow?

Physiological changes caused by electrical stimulation include an increase in blood flow and an effect on the peripheral circulation [7]. The appropriate dose and duration of electrical stimulation can achieve various physiological responses [10].

Can EMS be harmful?

EMS can cause kidney damage "If used incorrectly, EMS can cause muscle damage. When this occurs, small muscle particles are released into the blood stream and can damage the kidneys," explains Professor Dr. Stefan Knecht, DGKN spokesperson and chief physician at the clinic for neurology at St.

Can electrical stimulation burn skin?

Electrical stimulation treatments have resulted in first, second and sometimes third degree burns. These burns are extremely painful and may result is permanent scarring. Patients that suffer electrical stimulation burns sometimes do not feel the damage during the treatment.

Can electro stimulation damage nerves?

Generally, greater intensity, higher frequency, and longer pulse width stimulation lead to more severe damage in nerve cells (McCreery et al., 2004). In addition, although short-term electrical stimulation is not damaging to nervous tissue, chronic electrical stimulation can damage nerve structure.

How do you treat an electrode burn?

Do not put ice on a burn. Covering the burn with a clean bandage – Your doctor might also recommend or prescribe a cream or ointment to soothe the skin or prevent an infection. Treating the pain – To ease your pain, you can raise the burned part of your body above the level of your heart.

How does NMES work?

Stimulation waveforms typically consist of monophasic or biphasic current pulses, and muscle contraction strength is determined by pulse frequency, amplitude, and duration. Muscle contractions are produced through the application of electrical current to activate peripheral motor nerves that innervate a targeted muscle. A muscle contracts when the applied electrical current depolarizes the axonal membranes and thereby generates action potentials in the muscle's lower motor axons.14 As long as the lower motor neurons are intact and the neurotransmitter release mechanisms and muscle tissue are healthy, which is usually the case after stroke, NMES can be used to produce muscle contractions. However, this usually excludes individuals with lower motor neuron damage (i.e., peripheral nerve injuries) and muscular dystrophies.

What is NMES in rehabilitation?

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can be an effective component of a rehabilitation program for muscle weakness. NMES can help when the client is either unable or unwilling to volitionally elicit strong muscle contractions. NMES has been shown to accelerate functional recovery after surgery, prevent disuse atrophy, reduce ROM deficits, and improve motor control in patients with strength deficits of various etiologies.137-139

How does NMES affect motor relearning?

It has been demonstrated that NMES increases the contractile force and fatigue resistance of targeted muscles, 15,16 increases muscle mass, 17 and converts fast-twitch fast-fatiguing type II muscle fibers to slow-twitch fatigue-resistant type I muscle fibers. 16 There is also evidence that movement intent synchronized with NMES and volitional effort can strengthen pre- and postsynaptic connections in anterior horn cells. 18 Specifically, transcranial magnetic stimulation studies showed that cortical excitability was increased when NMES was paired with volitional muscle contraction compared to NMES alone. 19 It is also hypothesized that the afferent proprioceptive and sensory feedback produced by NMES can cause longterm potentiation in the sensorimotor cortex. 20–23 Interventions that used volitional residual electromyographic (EMG) activity to trigger NMES to the same muscle demonstrated increased cortical metabolic activity (as seen in PET 24 and MRI 25) and cortical perfusion compared to cyclic NMES that repeatedly stimulates without volitional effort (i.e., not EMG-triggered).

What is neuromuscular electrical stimulation?

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is the application of an electrical current of sufficient intensity to elicit muscle contraction. When applied during a functional activity, it is referred to as functional electrical stimulation (FES). In contrast, threshold electrical stimulation (TES) is a low-intensity, subthreshold electrical stimulus that has been theorized to increase blood flow and stimulate muscle growth when applied during sleep to take advantage of heightened trophic hormone secretion. Evidence to support use of these modalities in children with CP is limited; however, there is more evidence to support NMES and FES than TES.35

What is NMES exercise?

Electrical Stimulation.#N#Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is an alternative and potentially more effective means than exercise alone of decreasing persistent quadriceps weakness in the appropriate patient. It adds to active exercise alone by recruiting a greater proportion of type II fibers. These fibers have a higher incidence of atrophy in patients with a history of severe OA.162 It has been shown that NMES used alone or in combination with volitional exercise is helpful in regaining functional quadriceps strength in this patient population. 163 In a case study of an elderly patient with disuse atrophy after TKA, NMES was used to supplement volitional exercise of the quadriceps femoris and resulted in an increase of force production from 50% (involved/uninvolved) at 3-weeks postsurgery to 86% at 8-weeks postsurgery. 164 NMES has also been shown to increase walking speed in a prospective randomized controlled study of 30 TKA patients treated for 4 hours a day for a period of 6 weeks. 165 NMES has also been reported to improve the functional capacity of the quadriceps and to attenuate disuse atrophy associated with TKA. 166

What is NMES in CP?

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a well-known re-education method. Muscle tissue alterations after NMES have been investigated in many studies. However its effect on muscle architecture has not been analyzed in detail. Variation of stimulation parameters and muscle fiber types may be the important obstacles behind this. Notwithstanding few researches give insight into the effect of NMES on muscle architecture. Karabay et al. investigated the effect of NMES on tibialis anterior muscle architecture in children with CP. NMES was applied to the muscle 30 minutes, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Twenty-five hertz frequency and 250 µm duration were chosen. Only PCSA was higher after NMES. Other parameters including pennation angle and fascicle length did not change ( Karabay et al., 2015 ). This result may not be surprising due to the stimulation parameters. Because tibialis anterior is known as a fast contracting muscle, and the chosen frequency fits for a slow contracting muscle. Choosing proper parameter for NMES may alter the results.

What is NMES in spinal cord?

Muscle stimulation. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) enhances muscle activation in weak or poorly innervated muscle groups, primarily used for patients with spinal cord injuries and cerebral palsy. However, use of NMES as adjunctive treatment for brachial plexus palsies has not been solidly established.

What type of muscles does NMES stimulate?

NMES stimulates Type II muscles, those fast twitch muscles predominant in the pharynx. These are also the muscles that fatigue at a faster rate. I have compiled information from websites (as available) regarding each of the electrodes available (of which I’m aware) for dysphagia therapy.

Who distributes Freedom Electrodes?

Freedom Electrodes are distributed by North Coast Medical. These electrodes are very much comparable to the VitalStim electrodes and work with the VitalStim and Guardian units. The tape holding the electrodes feels much like the VitalStim tape and the build of the electrode is much the same.

What is the importance of NMES for dysphagia?

Whether you believe in NMES for dysphagia or use NMES, you need to understand the facts between the electrodes. It’s not just about cost, the construct, impedance and versatility are also important. One important thing to remember is that if the electrodes pull away from the patient, not only can it be uncomfortable for ...

Can NMES be used to pull away from a patient?

One important thing to remember is that if the electrodes pull away from the patient, not only can it be uncomfortable for the patient but can interfere with your treatment. Most companies will require certification in use of their equipment to be able to purchase an NMES device or the electrodes.

Can you use NMES to cure swallowing?

You will input your number or code that is unique to you. One thing to remember is that NMES is not a cure. Slapping the electrodes on a patient and turning on the machine will not make them swallow. It is a modality, meaning that it may help improve the swallow when paired with swallowing exercises.

Is NMES used for dysphagia?

NMES. One of the biggest controversies in dysphagia therapy has to be NMES or Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation, to use it or to not use it. It has been extensively researched, although results of the research vary. Whether you believe in NMES for dysphagia or use NMES, you need to understand the facts between the electrodes.

What size electrode should I use for tens?

The electrodes should be much larger than ones typically used for TENS – I like to use 3” x 5” rectangular electrodes (I have used oval ones before too). You need a larger electrode due to the amount of current that will be going through them - larger pads make it more comfortable for the patient.

Is NMES a good way to stimulate quads?

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES or sometimes called “Russian stim”) is an effective way to improve quad activation, but unfortunately it is commonly used incorrectly by clinicians. I say unfortunately because when used incorrectly, it won't provide your patients with its potential benefits and will waste their (and your) time.

Can you use NMES with knee extended?

Most clinicians tend to have their patients in the long-sitting position with the knee fully extended when using NMES and this position will not give you the most effective results. Having the patient seated with the knee in 60° flexion will provide better results as demonstrated by this study .

Is NMES mandatory for NWB?

NMES is especially useful (and I would almost say mandatory) in anyone who is non-weightbearing. In these NWB patients, NMES tends to be the most stimulus the quad will receive and thus, the most effective option for them to improve muscle activation and prevent/retard atrophy.

Why does a stimulation become painful when an electrode partly comes off?

This is because the electricity is spread over the surface. That’s also why a stimulation can become more painful when an electrode partly comes off. The same amount of electricity has to go through the electrodes, and increased electricity thus goes through every stimulated piece of skin.

What is the importance of electrodes in tens?

Position of the electrodes. In TENS, the precise position of the electrodes is of great importance, especially in the smaller muscles. When the muscle belly is not or not entirely stimulated, a greater intensity is needed in order to reach the same effect, if this effect can even still be reached.

What is the amplitude of a neuromuscular stimulation?

The Amplitude. In neuromuscular electrical stimulation, the Amplitude represents the electric current of the stimulation. This is measured in Milli Ampere (mA). The amplitude determines how deep the stimulation will go and therefore how many motoneurons are stimulated, and thus how strong the muscle tension will become.

What is the pulse width of a stimulator?

This is usually set in microseconds (µs), but sometimes in milliseconds (ms). In most stimulators, the pulse width is about 200-300 µs. A short pulse width may feel better, but a longer pulse width has the advantage that more motoneurons will be innervated, leading to an increased muscle tension.

What is TENS in medical terms?

The following applies to electrical stimulation on the skin, also referred to as Transcutaneous Electrical Neuro Stimulation (TENS). ES can also be applied internally, information about this will be added later.

What are the principles of electrical stimulation?

However, every stimulation works with the following principles: frequency, amplitude, and pulse width. If you’re first wondering what electrical stimulation actually is and why it’s great, hit the link. Furtherly, if you’re thinking of applying electrical stimulation, always follow the instructions in the manual that belongs to your stimulator.

What frequency is needed for NMES?

In some cases, it may be more useful to apply a different frequency, pulse width, or amplitude. A lower frequency of 1 to 10 Hz, for example, might work better when a muscle gets exhausted too fast.