PTA 205 - Physical Agents II

Credits: 1.5
Instructional Contact Hours: 2

Provides the theory and principles necessary to understand electrical stimulation and other advanced modalities. Prepares the student to provide physical therapy intervention as part of a physical therapist's plan of care, under the direction and supervision of the physical therapist.

Prerequisite(s): PTA 102, PTA 105LW, PTA 105, PTA 120L, PTA 120, PTA 123LW, PTA 123W, PTA 124, PTA 125LW, PTA 125, each with a “C” (2.0) minimum grade.
Corequisite(s): PTA 205L, PTA 209L, PTA 209, PTA 210LW, PTA 210, PTA 213L, PTA 213, PTA 214W, PTA 218, PTA 222
Lecture Hours: 22.5 Lab Hours: 0
Meets MTA Requirement: None
Pass/NoCredit: No

Outcomes and Objectives

Explain the therapeutic application of electrical stimulation as it relates to rehabilitation.
1. List the indications and contraindications for electrotherapy.
2. Describe the sensation of electrotherapy.
3. Describe the various clinical set-ups including two pad, four pad, four pad reciprocal, point electrode.
4. Summarize the theory of electricity and its application to treatment.
5. Identify the various diagnoses that can be treated with electrical stimulation.
6. Compare and contrast the appropriate use of the electrical stimulation equipment.
Describe the application of TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation).
1. Explain positioning for TENS application.
2. Identify the various options for utilization of TENS, including trigger points, meridians, cutaneous areas.
3. Explain the principles of pain modulation including the endorphin theory and gate control theory.
4. List indications, contraindications, and precautions for TENS.
5. List special considerations in the use of TENS.
6. Describe the sensation of TENS.
Describe the application of NMES/FES.
1. Explain the theory behind NMES/FES.
2. List the indications. contraindications, and precautions for NMES/FES.
3. List special considerations in the use of NMES/FES.
4. Describe the sensation of NMES/FES.
Describe the application of biofeedback.
1. Explain the theory of and uses for biofeedback.
2. List the indications, contraindications, and precautions for biofeedback.
3. List the special considerations for the use of biofeedback.
Describe the application of interferential electrical stimulation.
1. Explain the theory of interferential current.
2. List the indications, contraindications, and precautions for interferential current.
3. List the special considerations for the use of interferential current.
Describe the application of direct current iontophoresis.
1. Explain the theory of DC and iontophoresis.
2. List the indications, contraindications, and precautions for DC and iontophoresis.
3. List the diagnoses appropriate for the use of DC and iontophoresis.
4. Identify motor points to use with DC stimulation.
Describe the application of high volt and medium frequency electrical stimulation.
1. Explain the theory of high volt and medium frequency electrical stimulation.
2. List the indications, contraindications, and precautions for high volt and medium frequency electrical stimulation.
3. List special considerations for the use of HV current.
Describe the application of US with EMS.
1. Explain the theory of US with EMS.
2. List the indications, contraindications, and precautions for US with EMS.
3. List the special considerations for the use of US with EMS.
Clarify reasons why electrical stimulation treatment may be used in patient care.
1. Discuss how to instruct other health care providers, patients, and families to perform electrical stimulation treatments as appropriate.
2. Provide examples for electrical stimulation use.
Discuss the rationale for using electrical stimulation during wound care.
1. Explain the utilization, contraindications, indications, warnings, and precautions of electrical stimulation during wound care.
Explain the application of pelvic and cervical traction in patient treatment.
1. Explain the effects and purpose of traction.
2. Compare the different types of spinal traction:
  1. continuous
  2. sustained static
  3. intermittent
  4. manual
  5. positional
  6. gravity assisted
3. List the indications, contraindications, and precautions for mechanical and manual traction use in humans.
Explain the application of shortwave diathermy in patient treatment.
1. Describe the theory of diathermy.
2. Explain the physiological effects of diathermy.
3. List the indications, contraindications, and precautions of diathermy use in humans.
Explain the application of infrared radiation in patient treatment.
1. List the physiological effects of infrared.
2. Distinguish between the indications, contraindications, and precautions of infrared radiation use in humans.
Describe the application of intermittent pneumatic compression in patient treatment.
1. List the physiological effects of intermittent compression on human tissue.
2. Explain the theory behind intermittent pneumatic compression.
3. List the indications, contraindications, and precautions for intermittent pneumatic compression use in humans.
Describe the general function of the lymphatic system and the effects of abnormal conditions of the lymphatic system on human tissue.
1. Define lymphedema.
2. Discuss primary versus secondary lymphedema.
3. Identify various compression garments for edema management.
4. Compare and contrast the various treatments for lymphedema.
Explain the application of ultraviolet light in patient treatment.
1. Explain the physiological effects of ultraviolet light.
2. List the indications, contraindications, and precautions of ultraviolet light use in humans.
3. Describe the purpose of the minimal erythermal dose (MED) in use with UV light treatment.
Discuss potential legal or ethical issues.
1. Describe an appropriate response to each legal/ethical clinical issue discussed in class.