Faradic current

Masood Abdullah Hussein

MSc physiotherapy

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 Introduction
Definition:
• Faradic current is a short duration interrupted direct
currents with a pulse duration ranging from 0.1 and 1
ms and a frequency of 50 to 100 HZ.
• This is a muscle stimulating current acting directly on
the nerve fiber.
• It is normally used to stimulate a muscle with a INTACT
nerve supply
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Modified Faradic Various forms of
Currents surges results in
• Faradic current can be different waveform
interrupted at regular • trapezoidal,
intervals to avoid fatigue of • triangular,
muscles
• saw tooth

B
C

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 Sinusoidal waveform Triangular Waveform

Square Waveform Saw tooth Waveform

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 Types of mode
1. Continues mode: 
A.C. at 50 Hz producing a constant contraction
of normally innervated musculature (to obtain
relaxation in muscle spasm)

2. Surged mode:
In A.C. to stimulate muscle for exercise purpose
peak is reached microseconds with relative
slowness to stimulate slow fibers

3. Interrupted or pulsed mode:

A.C. current reaches peak intensity
immediately causing brisk response in muscle,
this mode is used to stimulate fast fibers e.g
athletic
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 Important points
• The faradic current was produced in the past by using
the original faradic coil, then by the Smart-Bristow
Faradic coil.
• At present the faradic current is produced by the
multivibrator circuit.
• Faradic currents are always surged for treatment
purposes to produce a near normal tetanic–like
contraction and relaxation of muscle.
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 ……Con
• Surging current means the gradual increase
and decrease of peak intensity.

• Surges can be adjusted from 2 to 5 second

surge continuously.

• Rest period (pause duration) should be at

least 2 to 3 times as long as that of the pulse
to give the muscle sufficient time to recover.
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 .…Con

• Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is the

electrical stimulation of the intact lower motor
neuron to initiate contraction of the paralyzed
muscles to produce functional movements.

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 ……Con
• The passive electrode should be larger than the
active one in most of the cases to reduce the current
density under the same, there by avoiding
unnecessary motor / sensory stimulation.

• The active electrode is placed over the motor point.

• Motor point is the point at which the main motor

nerve enters the muscle. It is located over the belly
of the muscle at junction between upper and middle
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 Indications of faradic type of current
1)   Facilitation of muscle contraction
2)   Re – education of muscle action
3)   Stimulation of nerve
4)   Effect of frequency stimulation
5)   Strength of contraction
6)   Oedema reduction

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 Motor points of upper limb
(anterior &lateral aspect)

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 Motor points of upper limb
(posterior aspect)

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 Motor points of upper limb

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 Motor points of upper limb
(posterior aspect)

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 Motor points of lower limb
Anterior view

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 Motor points of lower limb

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 Motor points of lower limb

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 General Points to note – Lab Activity

Preparation of apparatus .1
a. Assembling of the apparatus.1 •
b. Testing of the machine.1 •

Preparation of the patient.2

Stimulation of motor points.3

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 Preparation Preparation Preparation
of Apparatus of Apparatus of Apparatus
• Select E.S & set • Soak the pads of the • Connect with
towards faradic pad electrode & pen the sockets for
electrode in a
current solution of 1% warm the electrodes
saline(tap water can on the machine
• Select electrodes be used in the
absence of warm
as per the size of saline).
• Connect the
the muscle to be input cable to
stimulated & the • Connect the the power plug
area of the electrodes to the
placement of the appropriate leads
passive (RED or BROWN –
passive electrode/
electrode. BLACK or BLUE –
active electrode)
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 Testing of Testing of Testing of
the machine the machine the machine
• It is advisable that • The testing area – • The electrodes are
the therapist tests preferably the placed after due skin
the machine in front FLEXOR ASPECTS of preparation.
of the patient. the FOREARM &
HAND. • The PT switch ON
• The patient sees the the machine » ↑ the
whole procedure – It • The passive intensity/amplitude
alleviates the fear electrode in the gradually + surging
from the patient CUBITAL FOSSA. setting.
towards the current (Median nerve)
treatment • A comfortable
• The active electrode contraction of the
– a pen electrode muscle is followed
over the THENAR by an adequate rest
EMINANCE of the period.
HAND.

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 Preparation of the Preparation of the Preparation of the
patient – Point to patient – Point to patient – Point to
focus focus focus
• Start from the basic • Report the PT • The PT uses a pin
procedure. immediately if any with blunted ends –
abnormal feeling such told to close the
as burning sensation is
• Explanation about eyes – produce
experienced below the
the nature of electrodes. prickling over
treatment – selected skin – looks
SENSATION to be • DON’TS – Not to sleep, for the patient
experienced. not to touch any response.
metallic part, not to
• Ask the patient to move the treatment • After the patient
part etc… was found suitable
contribute
voluntarily in the for the stimulation,
• The sensation of the the PT cleans the
production of patient’s skin over
movement along area of electrode
which the electrodes placement by soap
with the stimulus. will be applied are
tested for pain & water.
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 Preparation of the patient – Point to focus

• The patient is positioned in a comfortable way.

• The joint over which the muscle so stimulated works

remain preferably in a loose pack position.

• The muscles to be stimulated remains in a partially

shortened position (Middle range of muscle work)

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 Important points to • At motor point there are zones of low threshold
excitability
note – Motor point
stimulation • The skin is more sensitive to faradic type current.

Important points to • Generally, this motor points lies at the junction of the
note – Motor point upper one third & the lower two thirds of the fleshy belly
of the muscle.
stimulation

• Stimulation of the muscle at the motor points isolates the

particular muscle.
Important points to • Stimulation of the peripheral nerve at points where they
become superficial produces contraction in the muscle
note – Motor point groups.
stimulation • All the muscles have an exact location of motor points in
the muscle, which may vary slightly from person to
person.
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 Important points to note – Motor point stimulation

• Black / Blue leads serves as negative polarity (ACTIVE)

• Red leads serves as positive polarity (PASSIVE)

Important points to note – Motor point stimulation

• The selection of electrodes can be either 2 pad

electrodes or 1 pad electrode & 1 pen electrode
depending upon the need

Important points to note – Motor point stimulation

• As a general rule the passive electrode selected should

be of larger in size compared to the active electrode.
• Testing of the machine should be done before the
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 • As a general rule, the surge
Important points to interval (Rest period) is always
note – Motor point greater than the surge duration
stimulation (Contraction period)

• Increase the intensity of current

Important points to intensity / amplitude gradually
note – Motor point to avoid electric shock
stimulation

• The treatment is either

Important points to continued for the desired
note – Motor point duration or stopped
stimulation prematurely, if early fatigue
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