Therapeutic Applications of Biophysical Agents

Catalog description

This course is designed to introduce the physical therapist student to the use of physical agents and therapeutic modalities in clinical practice. The course will consist of lecture and laboratory experiences to assist the students to develop proficiency in the application of the following modalities: thermal agents (hot packs, paraffin, hydrotherapy, infrared, diathermy, ultrasound); cryotherapy (ice packs, cold compresses, ice massage, contrast immersion baths, vapocoolant sprays, and cold compression devices); actinotherapy (ultraviolet and low power laser); mechanotherapy (mechanical traction, intermittent compression devices, and continuous passive motion machines); and electrotherapy. Principles and techniques of electrotherapy, types of electric current, common amplitude and time dependent characteristics, waveform, frequency, and clinical applications will be presented. Electrodiagnostic tests, including NCV and ENMG, will be discussed, as well as the functional use of biofeedback. Instrumentation and equipment care and safety considerations will be covered. This course will present indications, contraindication, and precautions for use of physical agents, clinical application principles and procedures, and practice of clinical problem-solving skills with case studies, supervised within a laboratory format.