• Direct current is an unidirectional continuous current.
• It is also termed as Galvanic current or plain Galvanic current.
• It is also called Constant current as the current passes
continuously in same direction.
• Direct current is mainly used for iontophoresis, anodal
galvanism, cathodal galvanism and for acceleration of healing.
Production
Direct current can be obtained from dry batteries as well as
from household alternating current.
From dry batteries: Here dry batteries or cells are connected in
series and a variable resistance control output.
Voltmeter or Ammeter can be added to this so as to measure
the intensity of the output.
From alternating current source: Here AC voltage is reduced
with the help of a step-down transformer.
It is rectified and smoothened to get direct current.
Output is controlled via variable resistance and can be
measured by voltmeter.
Polarity
Polarity is generally marked with direct current source by color codes,
for example, red for positive and black for negative.
Salt water experiment
Little salt is added to water in a glass container, then
electrodes attached to direct current terminals are inserted.
After this, when the intensity is increased, you can see many
more bubbles getting evolved at negative electrode or cathode
and few bubbles at anode.
It is because, water is split into hydrogen and oxygen ions.
Hydrogen being positive ion, gets liberated at cathode and
oxygen gets liberated at anode.
Considering the water molecule, it is obvious that the number
of hydrogen atoms will be double than oxygen and hence,
many more bubbles at cathode are evolved as compared to
anode.
Stimulation of Sensory Nerves
When direct current is applied to the body tissue, it stimulates
sensory nerves and produces burning sensation. This sensory
irritation is felt under both the electrodes, but if the current flows for
sufficient length of time, then more irritation is felt under negative
Electrode i.e. cathode.
Stimulation of Motor Nerves
Direct current can produce stimulation of motor nerves during
its “on” and “off”. Immediately after direct current is switched on,
accommodation in motor nerves takes place and hence there is no
further response.
Accommodation
Accommodation is physiological adaptation by nerves.
Motor nerves get quickly accommodated to direct current and hence it
is not possible to stimulate the innervated as well as denervated
muscles by direct current.
Example- Analogy of accommodation can be done with our feeling of
clothes on the body.
We feel that we have put on the clothes after bath, but afterwards we
get adapted and do not get the same feel throughout the day.
Chemical Production
When direct current is applied to the body tissue it produces
chemicals in the form of acid and base.
Base or alkali is produced at the cathode and acid at the anode
(remember A for acid and A for anode).
Effect on Body Proteins
It is believed that the direct current causes coagulation of
proteins under positive electrode(anode) and liquefaction under
negative electrode.
Therapeutic Indications
Galvanism
Use of direct current without any drug for the treatment of
various diseases and disorders is known as galvanism
1) Medical Galvanism
Here both the electrodes are of same size.
It causes vasomotor stimulation of the skin
and increased circulation to the body part
where direct current is applied.
Medical galvanism is used for acute and
chronic inflammatory conditions such as
chillbain, Raynaud’s disease, Buerger’s
disease, etc.
Anodal Galvanism
Here anode is an active electrode and cathode,
which is larger, acts as an indifferent electrode.
Anodal galvanism produces acidic reaction,
hardens the tissue and reduces nerve irritability
‘HARN’ to remember these effects, where
H- harden,
A- acidic reaction
RN- reduce nerve irritability.
Anodal galvanism is used for pain relief.
Effects:
Sedative Action: The anode has a calming effect on nerve endings,
making it suitable for conditions with hyperirritability or pain.
Vasoconstriction: Reduces local blood flow, which can help in
managing acute inflammation.
Hardening of Tissues: Promotes protein coagulation, creating a
protective barrier and reducing tissue permeability.
Applications:
Pain Relief:
Anodal galvanism is used to manage acute pain by calming sensory
nerves.
Examples: Acute musculoskeletal injuries, neuralgia.
Inflammatory Conditions:
Helps in acute inflammation by reducing local edema and redness.
Examples: Tendinitis, bursitis.
Wound Healing (Infections):
Acts as a barrier against infection and is sometimes combined with
iontophoresis to drive positively charged antimicrobial agents.
Examples: Superficial infections, minor wounds.
Hyperesthesia:
Reduces hypersensitivity in localized areas.
Cathodal Galvanism
Here cathode is an active electrode and anode
is an indifferent electrode.
It produces basic reaction or alkaline reaction,
softens the tissues and increases nerve
irritability.
It is used to soften scar tissue
Effects:
Stimulation: The cathode has an excitatory effect on nerves and
muscles, making it useful for stimulating inactive muscles or
reducing chronic pain.
Vasodilation: Increases local blood flow, promoting tissue healing
and metabolic activity.
Softening of Tissues: Reduces tissue hardness, which is helpful
for chronic inflammation or scar management.
Applications:
Wound Healing (Granulation and Debridement):
Enhances the healing process in chronic wounds by stimulating granulation tissue
formation.
Examples: Diabetic ulcers, venous ulcers.
Chronic Pain:
Cathodal galvanism helps in chronic musculoskeletal pain by stimulating nerve
endings and improving circulation.
Examples: Chronic arthritis, fibromyalgia.
Muscle Stimulation:
Useful for improving muscle tone in cases of denervated or atrophied muscles.
Examples: Peripheral nerve injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation.
Scar Management:
Softens fibrotic or hardened scars over time.
Calcium Reabsorption:
The cathode is used in iontophoresis with acetic acid to dissolve calcium deposits in
calcific tendinitis.
Examples: Shoulder calcific tendinitis.