Standard

 

R State Standard         £ Institutionally Developed          College: N/A

 

PTA 207 – Physical Therapist Assistant Procedures III

Course Description

Provides detailed discussion and practice in electrotherapeutic modalities and TENS. Topics include: electrotherapeutic modalities; hyperbaric oxygen; peripheral vascular compression apparatus; and peripheral vascular compression garments.

 

 

Competency Areas

Hours

Electrotherapeutic Modalities

Class

1

Hyperbaric Oxygen

D. Lab

4

Peripheral Vascular Compression Apparatus

P. Lab/O.B.I.

3

Peripheral Vascular Compression Garments

Credit

4

 

Prerequisite:

 

Corequisite:

 

 

Course Guide

 

Competency

After completing this section, the student will be able to:

Hours

Class

D.Lab

P.Lab/

O.B.I.

Electrotherapeutic Modalities

2

15

20

Review of TENS

Review TENS including definition, rationale, and theories.

Instruct patient and family member in home use of TENS.

 

 

 

Theories of electricity

Explain the electron theory of electricity.

 

 

 

Define static electricity and explain how it is produced.

 

 

 

Differentiate between static and current electricity.

 

 

 

Define OHM's law (I=E/R) and explain how it applies to treating the human body.

 

 

 

Define electromotive force and potential difference.

 

 

 

Explain methods of current flow and ways to measure it.

 

 

 

Define resistance.

 

 

 

Differentiate between conductors and insulators.

 

 

 

List methods of decreasing skin resistance.

 

 

 

Current characteristics

Define direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC).

 

 

 

List the characteristics of direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC).

 

 

 

Explain sinewave, pulse wave, square wave, continuous modulation, surging modulation, and interrupted modulation, as applied to AC or DC currents.

 

 

 

Discuss ways to prevent burns and electric shock.

 

 

 

Low voltage DC and low voltage AC

Define continuous DC and explain its purposes.

 

 

 

Define polar effects.

 

 

 

Discuss the effect of polarity on the human body.

 

 

 

List indications for continuous DC.

 

 

 

Define interrupted DC and explain its purposes.

 

 

 

List indications for interrupted DC.

 

 

 

Explain requirements to produce muscle contraction with electrical stimulation.

 

 

 

Define motor point and explain purpose of motor point stimulation.

 

 

 

Define alternating current and list its primary purpose.

 

 

 

Define twitch, pulse, and tetany and explain effects of frequency of stimulation of muscles.

 

 

 

Define continuous AC.

 

 

 

List indications for continuous AC.

 

 

 

Define surging AC and list indications.

 

 

 

Define interrupted AC and list indications.

 

 

 

High voltage and EMS

Explain the effects of unipolar technique and bipolar technique of electrode placement.

 

 

 

List factors which affect current density.

 

 

 

List contraindications for electrical stimulation.

 

 

 

Interpret and manipulate the parameters of low voltage and high voltage equipment.

 

 

 

Demonstrate motor point stimulation with a unipolar technique and locate motor points accurately.

 

 

 

Prepare skin correctly for above treatment with electrical stimulation.

 

 

 

Demonstrate motor point stimulation with a bipolar technique.

 

 

 

Describe the current, wave form, and the parameter in high voltage stimulation.

 

 

 

Demonstrate muscle stimulation with unipolar or bipolar technique using high voltage equipment.

 

 

 

Demonstrate a sterile high voltage treatment.

 

 

 

Electrotesting procedures

Explain various diagnostic tests including NCV, EMG and strength duration curve, and Jolly test.

 

 

 

Biofeedback

Explain biofeedback and list indications and contraindications.

 

 

 

Demonstrate proper application of biofeedback procedure.

 

 

 

List indications and effects for high voltage stimulation.

 

 

 

Hyperstimulation analgesia

Define hyperstimulation analgesia (HSA).

 

 

 

Explain rationale for HSA.

 

 

 

List indications and contraindications.

 

 

 

Describe parameter adjustments.

 

 

 

Demonstrate proper HSA treatment including selecting, locating, and treating points.

 

 

 

Hyperbaric Oxygen

3

5

0

Definition/purpose

Explain the purpose of hyberbaric 02 and its effects.

 

 

 

List indications and contraindications and suggested pressure parameters.

 

 

 

Peripheral Vascular Compression Apparatus

3

5

0

Lymphatic system

Describe peripheral vascular compression apparatus purpose, effects, measurement, and fitting procedure.

 

 

 

Peripheral Vascular Compression Garments

2

15

10

 

Review circulation and purpose of lymphatic system.

 

 

 

 

Define lymphedema and describe the pathology.

 

 

 

 

Demonstrate safe peripheral vascular compression apparatus application.

 

 

 

 

List indications, contraindications, and suggested pressure parameters for peripheral vascular compression apparatus.

 

 

 

 

Demonstrate complete compression therapy treatment procedure including pre- and post-treatment procedures.

 

 

 

 

Explain purpose of peripheral vascular compression garments.

 

 

 

 

Demonstrate ability to accurately measure a patient for compression garments.

 

 

 

 

Suggested Resources

 

Media
(print/audio/
visual/www/
other)

Author

Year

Title: Subtitle

Edition

Location

Publisher/
Publication

pp.

Print

Gersh, M. R.

2000

Electrotherapy in rehabilitation.

2nd ed.

Philadelphia

F. A. Davis

413

 

Posted: 09/24/08