Thanks Rege,
Will do.
So here is my next question.
I fully agree about the SWD being a no-no. You are talking about a guy here
who does not even own a microwave at home (a dying breed). The electro
magnetic waves I can see interfering with any sensitive electrical
equipment (pacemaker). And I have seen stuff malfunction while using the SWD.
Now to the TENS and IFC. You would never uses IFC but would consider TENS
on an ankle.
You must slot both electrical current in different categories as to effect
on a pacemaker? And what might this be?
The are both electrical currents, so would produce electro-magnetic waves.
IFC base frequency is higher, would that make a difference?
Again my question, do we just say no because we have no clue. If this is
the same Dr. Alain Belanger, who used to be the Canadian Physiotherapy
Association president, I know he will say there is no evidence at all. He
started great discussions a few years ago urging people to take courses in
stuff that is proven e.g. computer courses, statistics, rather than
continuing to train in areas that are not proven. He actually listed in his
list of non proven methods things like Bobath, McKenzie and Maitland if I
remember correctly.
Thanks again Rege.
At 09:17 AM 4/1/02 -0500, you wrote:
>Maarten,
>
>I will direct you to a small text entitled Evidence-Based Guide to
>Therapeutic Agents by Alain-Yvan Belanger, published by Lippincott Williams
>and Wilkins. They have concise lists of contraindications for each
>modality. In general, although the debate remains controversial, the use of
>electrical modalities over implants, i.e. cardiac pacemakers, is
>contraindicated. If you had to use them (TENS, NMES, microcurrent) near a
>pacemaker then certain precautions must be observed - cardiac monitoring,
>etc. I would not use, under any circumstances SWD, Interferential on any
>part of the body with a patient that had a pacemaker. The use of TENS on an
>ankle with a patient that has a cardiac pacemaker should not be a problem.
>Check the text out! Hope this helps.
>
>Rege
>
>
>
>
>At 09:19 PM 3/27/2002 -0800, you wrote:
> >Hi,
> >
> >As part of my PT department review I am looking at contra indications (CI)
> >of electro modalities.
> >Especially questions have arisen about CI for patients with pacemakers
> >(demand or otherwise).
> >
> >When I studied PT in the Netherlands in the 80s pacemakers were not a CI
> >for TENS, Interferential (IFC) etc. Only for Shortwave diathermy etc.
> >
> >Perhaps the view has changed, and definitely here in North America there is
> >a more conservative trend around CI. Perhaps because of the thriving "suing
> >community".
> >
> >Question:
> >* Pacemaker an absolute CI for any electro therapy (TENS/ High
> Voltage/
> >IFC/ Galvanic)?
> >* Would you use for instance TENS on other part of the body? e.g.
>TENS on
> >an ankle if the patient had a pacemaker?
> >* Is there any "real" research out there to substantiate, or do we
>just do
> >because?
> >
> >Looking at some web info on pacemakers, people with pacemakers should not
> >use cell phones, use a microwave, sleep close to a clock radio etc.
> >
> >
> >Your views please.
> >
> >Thanks
> >
> >Maarten
> >Canada
> >
> >
> >
>Rege Turocy, DHCE, PT
>Assistant Professor
>Department of Physical Therapy
>Rangos School of Health Sciences
>Duquesne University
>Pittsburgh, PA 15282
>412/396-5545
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