FROM MY PT SCHOOL NOTES · MODALITIES · UNIT 4 · CHAPTER 16
How Do Electrical Current and Pulse Variables Differ?
Separate waveform terminology from the intended sensory or motor effect.
At a glance
AMPLITUDE
Current magnitude
FREQUENCY
Pulses or cycles per second
DUTY / RAMP
Time structure and comfort
What matters most
- Direct, alternating and pulsed currents differ in direction and timing; a biphasic pulse may contain two phases.
- Amplitude, phase duration, pulse duration, pulse frequency, polarity and duty cycle describe different features of electrical delivery.
- A number on a device cannot be interpreted without electrode arrangement, target tissue, patient response and labeling.
Safety and evidence limits
Screen electronic implants, skin condition, altered sensation, relevant medical/cardiac factors and the specific electrode site. Historical parameter tables are not prescriptions.
Try a clinical decision
Scenario: A student copies one clinic’s NMES frequency for every person with weakness. What is missing?
Reveal the reasoning
The goal, device, contraindications, setup, contraction response, fatigue, comfort and integration into activity all need review.
From my class notes: 22 Electrotherapy Intro.pdf. This chapter is a conceptual study aid—not clinical clearance, dosing instruction or device training.
