Bell's Palsy

[physiobob]

Hi Physios,
Please let me know the parameters of electrical stimulation ( Type of pulse,pulse duration etc)for Bell's palsy patient.i think there has been a recent study that Galvanic current is preferred.But can anyone let me know the advantage of using galvanic current over faradic current in bell's palsy.


Thanks.
Angel

Have at look at the existing threads on Bell's or Facial Palsy

http://www.physiobob.com/forum/tags/...hp?tag=/palsy/

[angel76]

Hi,
thanks for the reply.i went through these replies.but i still did not find an answer to the reason why galvanic current is preferred over faradic current in stimulaion.please let me know if there are any available reasons.
thanks.

[sdkashif]

The faradic current has a frequency of 50 Hz and hence so produces the tetanic muscle contraction. It is ,therefore, surged to produce the alternate contraction and relaxation of the muscles. Moreover, faradic current having short pulse duration can not be used to stimulate dennervated muscles as dennervated muscles requre pulses of longer duration for having its effects. So galvanic current has fair long duration impulses selections that can be used to stimulate dennervated muscles. Although in early days of nerve injury a response of muscle can be obtained witth faradic or faradic type of current depending upon the reaction of degeneration but when walerian degenration takes place, it is not possible to get the response from faradic type of current. Furthermore, facial muscles are very delicate and soft as they can tolerate the tetanic type of contraction produced by faradic current and this could lead to the secondary contractures of the facial muscle. Hence the most suitable current in that case will be interrupted galvanic current, that produces a brisk twitches of the facial muscles. And there will no danger secondary contractures.

[mistrysunil]

The faradic current has a frequency of 50 Hz and hence so produces the tetanic muscle contraction. It is ,therefore, surged to produce the alternate contraction and relaxation of the muscles. Moreover, faradic current having short pulse duration can not be used to stimulate dennervated muscles as dennervated muscles requre pulses of longer duration for having its effects. So galvanic current has fair long duration impulses selections that can be used to stimulate dennervated muscles. Although in early days of nerve injury a response of muscle can be obtained witth faradic or faradic type of current depending upon the reaction of degeneration but when walerian degenration takes place, it is not possible to get the response from faradic type of current. Furthermore, facial muscles are very delicate and soft as they can tolerate the tetanic type of contraction produced by faradic current and this could lead to the secondary contractures of the facial muscle. Hence the most suitable current in that case will be interrupted galvanic current, that produces a brisk twitches of the facial muscles. And there will no danger secondary contractures.

Can u prove ur theory.........??
is it issued anywhere.....??

[sdkashif]

Well you may have a look over the following

Clayton's Electrotherapy by Forster & Palastanga 7th Edition

Clinical Electrotherapy by Nelson & Currier 2nd Edition

There numerous references at chapters of electrical stimulation in bibliography.