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WorksheetsTENS
Total questions: 61
Worksheet time: 31mins
What is Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)?
A surgical technique for pain management
A non-invasive technique that delivers low-frequency, low-intensity electrical currents across the skin via surface electrodes to stimulate sensory nerves
A medication for chronic pain
A type of physical exercise
TENS is primarily used for _________
pain management
muscle building
weight loss
improving vision
Which of the following are current types used in TENS?
Monophasic
Biphasic
Both A and B
Triphasic
What is the frequency range for TENS?
2-10 Hz (Low)
50-120 Hz (High)
Both A and B
200-500 Hz
The pulse width (duration) for TENS is ________ microseconds.
50-200
10-30
300-500
600-800
What are the amplitude (intensity) levels used in TENS?
Sensory level (strong but comfortable tingling)
Motor level (visible muscle twitch)
Both A and B
High voltage level
Which theory explains the mechanism of high-frequency TENS?
Endogenous Opioid Theory
Pain Gate Theory
Muscle Fatigue Theory
Nerve Block Theory
Low-frequency, higher-intensity TENS (to motor level) activates A-delta fibres, leading to the release of the body's natural opioids.
True
False
Name one traditional clinical application of TENS.
Acute pain (e.g., post-operative, labour pain) or chronic pain conditions (e.g., osteoarthritis, neuropathic pain, low back pain)
Treatment of hypertension
Management of diabetes
Cure for infectious diseases
What is a key strength of TENS in terms of safety profile?
Non-invasive, minimal side-effects (skin irritation under electrodes is the most common).
Highly addictive and requires prescription.
Causes severe muscle damage.
Leads to permanent skin discoloration.
Which of the following is a limitation of TENS?
Highly consistent evidence
Highly inconsistent evidence
Permanent pain relief
No placebo effect
TENS is best viewed as a ________ within a broader biopsychosocial management plan.
non-pharmacological pain modulation tool
pharmacological intervention
surgical procedure
diagnostic imaging technique
What is the typical duration of analgesia provided by TENS?
Analgesia typically lasts only as long as the unit is on or for a short period afterward.
Analgesia typically lasts for several days after a single session.
Analgesia typically lasts for several weeks after a single session.
Analgesia typically lasts permanently after a single session.
What is the main component that contributes to the reported effectiveness of TENS?
Powerful placebo component
Electrical stimulation of nerves
Release of endorphins
Reduction of inflammation
Interferential Therapy (IFT) uses two ________ alternating currents (AC).
medium-frequency
high-frequency
low-frequency
direct-current
The interference of two medium-frequency currents in IFT produces a low-frequency ________ current.
beat
ripple
modulated
carrier
Which parameter of IFT can be increased to motor level or strong sensory level?
Amplitude
Frequency
Duration
Waveform
What is the key concept in IFT regarding the amplitude of the resulting 'beat' frequency?
The amplitude of the resulting 'beat' frequency is modulated (e.g., Constant, 1:1, 1:3, 1:5).
The amplitude of the resulting 'beat' frequency is always zero.
The amplitude of the resulting 'beat' frequency increases exponentially.
The amplitude of the resulting 'beat' frequency is unaffected by modulation.
What is the primary rationale for deep penetration by medium-frequency currents?
Medium-frequency currents encounter less skin resistance and can penetrate deeper to affect deeper tissues.
Medium-frequency currents generate more heat at the skin surface, leading to deeper penetration.
Medium-frequency currents are absorbed only by superficial tissues, allowing deeper tissues to remain unaffected.
Medium-frequency currents stimulate only nerve endings at the skin, causing deep tissue effects.
What is the proposed mechanism of pain relief and muscle stimulation for medium-frequency currents similar to TENS?
It is proposed to provide pain relief via the pain gate mechanism and to stimulate muscles to reduce swelling and improve blood flow.
It is proposed to block nerve conduction and inhibit muscle contraction.
It is proposed to increase tissue temperature and promote fat breakdown.
It is proposed to decrease blood flow and induce muscle fatigue.
Which of the following is a traditional clinical application of medium-frequency currents?
Pain control for deep-lying structures
Reduction of edema
Muscle stimulation and relaxation
All of the above
Medium-frequency currents are used for pain control in deep joint pain and lumbar spine.
True
False
Medium-frequency currents are believed to stimulate the lymphatic system to reduce edema.
True
False
Medium-frequency currents are used for muscle stimulation and relaxation.
True
False
What is a strength of medium-frequency carrier current in terms of comfort?
The medium-frequency carrier current is more comfortable at higher amplitudes than low-frequency TENS, allowing for greater intensity without painful skin irritation.
It causes more skin irritation than low-frequency TENS at higher amplitudes.
It is less effective at delivering electrical stimulation than low-frequency TENS.
It cannot be used for therapeutic purposes due to discomfort.
The physics of medium-frequency technique supports better depth of current penetration.
True
False
Which of the following is a limitation of medium-frequency currents?
Questionable clinical superiority
Complexity & misapplication
Lack of robust evidence
All of the above
High-quality evidence consistently shows that IFT is more effective than TENS for pain relief.
True
False
The machine for medium-frequency currents is more complex, with multiple parameters, increasing the risk of incorrect application.
True
False
Many claims regarding the effect of medium-frequency currents on edema and blood flow are based on outdated physiological models and lack strong modern evidence.
True
False
What is the clinical bottom line for IFT (Interferential Therapy)?
IFT is a more comfortable way to deliver a strong, deep sensory stimulus. However, it offers no proven superior clinical outcome to simpler and cheaper modalities like TENS. Its use is often based on tradition and patient/therapist preference rather than strong evidence.
IFT is the most effective modality for pain relief and is always preferred over TENS due to its superior clinical outcomes.
IFT is rarely used in clinical practice due to its high cost and lack of patient comfort.
IFT is only recommended for acute injuries and is not suitable for chronic pain management.
Fill in the blank: Galvanic current is a continuous, unidirectional flow of electrons (Direct Current). Its effects are primarily ________, not neuro-muscular.
electrochemical
mechanical
thermal
optical
Which type of current is used in Galvanic therapy?
Alternating Current (AC)
Pulsed Current
Continuous Direct Current (DC)
High-Voltage Pulsed Current
The effects of Galvanic current are the same under both the Positive (Anode) and Negative (Cathode) electrodes.
True
False
Fill in the blank: The Anode (+) is theorized to be ________, sclerolytic (softens tissues), and analgesic.
acidic
alkaline
neutral
basic
Fill in the blank: The Cathode (-) is theorized to be ________, sclerolytic, and irritant.
alkaline
acidic
neutral
oxidizing
Which of the following is the primary modern use of Direct Current (DC) in clinical practice?
Wound Healing
Scar Tissue Management
Iontophoresis
Muscle Stimulation
Fill in the blank: Iontophoresis uses the repelling force of like charges to drive topically applied ________ ions through the skin.
charged medication
water
neutral
oxygen
Which of the following is NOT a traditional clinical application of Galvanic current?
Iontophoresis
Wound Healing
Scar Tissue Management
Muscle Strengthening
The continuous DC can cause chemical burns under the electrodes if not monitored carefully.
True
False
Fill in the blank: The medication only penetrates a few ________, making it ineffective for deep structures.
millimetres
centimetres
inches
layers
What is the main legitimate use of Galvanic current in modern physiotherapy?
Wound healing
Tissue softening
Iontophoresis
Pain relief
Faradic Current is an outdated term. In modern physiotherapy, it refers to ________ used for the primary purpose of stimulating innervated muscles to produce a contraction.
asymmetrical biphasic pulsed currents
symmetrical monophasic pulsed currents
direct galvanic currents
interferential currents
Which of the following is NOT a key parameter for Faradic Current (NMES)?
A) Frequency
B) Pulse Width
C) On/Off Time
D) Temperature
Fill in the blank: The frequency used in Faradic Current (NMES) to produce a tetanic contraction is typically ______ Hz.
20-50
1-5
100-200
60-80
What is the typical pulse width used in Faradic Current (NMES)?
100-200 microseconds
200-400 microseconds
400-600 microseconds
600-800 microseconds
Faradic Current (NMES) is used for sensory-level pain relief.
True
False
Which of the following is a proposed mechanism of action for Faradic Current (NMES)?
Muscle Re-education and Strengthening
Reduction of Muscle Atrophy
Both A and B
None of the above
One traditional clinical application of NMES is ________ (e.g., post-ACL reconstruction, total knee arthroplasty).
post-surgical rehabilitation
pain management
cardiac monitoring
respiratory therapy
Fill in the blank. NMES is used for muscle strengthening in ________ conditions (though Functional Electrical Stimulation - FES - is often preferred).
neurological
cardiac
respiratory
gastrointestinal
Traditional Clinical Applications: Fill in the blank. NMES can help prevent ________ atrophy.
disuse
muscle
bone
nerve
Critical Analysis - Strengths: Which of the following is a strength of NMES?
A) Targeted Muscle Activation
B) Ineffective for deep muscles
C) Discomfort for patients
D) Does not replace voluntary exercise
Critical Analysis - Strengths: Fill in the blank. There is robust evidence for NMES use in post-operative quadriceps strengthening to counteract ________ muscle inhibition.
arthrogenic
myogenic
neurogenic
ischemic
NMES is effective for stimulating deep muscles.
True
False
Critical Analysis - Limitations: Fill in the blank. The strength gains and neural adaptations from NMES are not as functional or comprehensive as those from ________ resistance training.
voluntary
isometric
passive
dynamic
NMES should be phased out in favour of active, voluntary, and functional exercises as soon as possible.
True
False
What is the primary use of TENS in physiotherapy?
Pain modulation
Muscle strengthening
Improving joint mobility
Reducing inflammation
Which electrotherapy modality is described as a more comfortable way to deliver a deep sensory stimulus, but is not evidence-backed as superior?
IFT (Interferential Therapy)
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
Ultrasound Therapy
Shortwave Diathermy
Galvanic (DC) is primarily used for:
Deep pain modulation
Muscle activation
Superficial inflammation
Atrophy prevention
Faradic (NMES) is considered highly effective for which specific purpose in early rehabilitation?
Muscle activation/strengthening for specific post-op goals
Pain management
Improving joint flexibility
Reducing swelling
Electrotherapy should be used as the primary stand-alone treatment in physiotherapy.
True
False
