Therapeutic Modalities and Electrotherapy: Exercise Prescription, Manual Techniques, Electrophysical Agents and Assistive Devices
What the exam tests
Exercise prescription, manual techniques, electrophysical agents, and assistive devices, with contraindications and safe parameters.
Core rules and concepts
- Exercise: use FITT-frequency, intensity, time, type; apply progressive overload and specificity; monitor symptoms.
- Ultrasound: thermal and non-thermal effects; avoid over malignancy, pregnancy, pacemakers, and epiphyseal plates; use low intensity where indicated.
- TENS: pain modulation; avoid in pregnancy over the abdomen, with pacemakers, and in epilepsy; check skin integrity.
- NMES: muscle re-education; contraindicated in DVT, infection, and cancer.
- Assistive devices: fit and safety matter; walking aids reduce load; check height and gait pattern.
Worked example
A patient with chronic low back pain requests TENS. Reasoning: screen for pacemaker, pregnancy, and skin problems. Set conventional high-frequency TENS at about 100 Hz to a comfortable tingling level, reassess, and combine with exercise rather than using it alone.
Traps that cost marks
Using ultrasound as a stand-alone treatment; ignoring a pacemaker; prescribing a walking aid without fitting; failing to document parameters and response.