Russian Current

What is a Russian Current?

It is also called as Tone Burst current. It was first investigated by Dr. Y M Kots in Russian literature. It provoked much interest because the successful Olympic team was using it in addition to their usual training program.

It was suggested that its use significantly increased muscle strength (about 30 – 40 %). In 1970 claims were published that this 2500 Hz medium frequency interrupted current (Russian current) could produce to generate greater muscle force (contraction) than a maximal voluntary contraction.

Although it is a medium-frequency current the nerves are stimulated because it is interrupted to give a low-frequency stimulation of 50 Hz. Russian current consists of 2500 Hz frequency evenly alternating medium frequency current applied as a series of separate bursts having a pulse duration of 0.2 ms (200 µs) which is interspersed (interrupted) with 10 ms (1000 µs) when no current flows producing 50 bursts per second (50 Hz) which is in fact like the low-frequency faradic type of current.

The theoretical basis for the use of this current is that maximal electrical stimulation of nearly all motor units in a muscle to contract something that can not be obtained in voluntary contraction. This produces greater muscle contraction and hence produces hypertrophy.

Introduction

• 1977 yakov kots( Russian physiologist )

• it is basically medium frequency current

• it is intermittant alternating sinusodiul current with carrier frequency 2500 hz

• Russian current sinusoidal waveform, delivered in bursts or series of pulses

• hence it is known as medium frequency burts alternating current

• carrier: frequency 2500 hz

• waveform: polyphasic sinusoidal waveform

• current amplitude: the maximum amplitude 100 ma but the clinical base 70 ma

• blurts frequency: 50 hz

• burst duration: 10 ms

Characteristics

• on/off ratio: the on/off ratio is defined as the ratio of the time during which there is stimulation( contraction ) to the time during which there is no stimulation ( no contraction ) set as 10ms:10ms.

• duty cycle: duty cycle is the proportion of on time to the summation of both the on and off time expressed as a percentage.

• ramp-up and down: setting the ramp time is very important to evoke contraction similar to muscle contraction. as the ramp allows a gradual increase of intensity with the associated gradual increase of muscle contraction. set for 1-2 seconds

• training protocol with Russian current:
  clinical protocol – 1) 10=muscle contraction, lasting for 10 seconds
• 2) 50 off time no contraction for 50 seconds
• 3) 10 cycles repeated for 10 min

duration and frequency of treatment: the recommended duration of treatment is 10 minutes, once daily per week for several weeks ( 3 months )

electrodes placement: arranged parallel to the direction of muscles fibers so that it is at the estimated line of pull of the muscles.

time delay switch: synchronous mode ( both channels triggered simultaneously. achieved by not setting time delay). reciprocol mode ( channels 1 is on then 2 is off- achieved by setting time delay equal to time of channel 1 ). overlapping mode ( channel 2 overlaps with on time and off time of channel 1- achived by setting time delay more then 1 sec but less than on time of channel 1).

Physiological effects

depends on:

• the total number of burts delivered per second

• russian current has a capacity to depolarized:

1 sensory nerve fibers – moderate prickling sensation
2 motor nerve fibers – tetanic muscle contraction

• allow use of high amplitude contraction stronger than those generated by voluntary control ( voluntary contraction- motor units recruited asynchronously while in electrically evoked muscle contraction- motor units fire synchronously).

• this contraction is painless due to sensory nerve blocked of pain gate

Physiological effects

• medium frequency modulated sinusoidal currents

• depolarization of sensory and motor nerve fibers. synchronously, motor nerve depolarization induce activation of fast type 2 motor units

• high level electrically evoked muscular contraction

• contraction against external load

• muscle strengthening

Therapeutic effects/ protocol

1) To improve muscle strength

amplitude: tetanic muscle contraction
pulse rat (burst frequency): 150-200
apply current during volitional: isometric in different ROM slow speed isokinetic and short arc movement

2) to reduce muscle spasm

amplitude: tetanic muscle contraction up to patient tolerance
pulse rate : 50-175
stimulation is applied to provide brief isometric contraction
on time 5-12, off time 8-15 secs

3) to reduce oedema ( due to lack of muscle contraction )

amplitude: small visible muscle contraction
pulse rate: 35-50
pulse duration: around 400
on time 1-2 secs off time 1-2 secs promote muscle pumping

treatment time 10-15 min.

Protocols for Russian current:

• Protocol for muscle strengthening/ hypertrophy:

Amplitude/ Intensity:
-Tetanic contraction

Pulse rate:
-50 – 70 Hz

Pulse duration:

-150 – 200 µs

Apply current during volitional activities (voluntary activities)

Isometric exercises at several points through a range of motion.

Slow isokinetic (movements in the same direction) exercises 5 – 10° per second.

Short arc joint movement when ROM is restricted.

Protocol for muscle spasm reduction:

Amplitude:

• Tetanic contraction depending upon patient toleran

pulse rate

• 50 – 70 Hz

Pulse duration:

• 50 – 175 µs

Muscle contraction isometric

INDICATION

• the only indication for use of russian current as introduced by kots in 1977, is to strengthen the muscular system of healthy and athletic persons.
• post knee ligaments surgery
• post arthroscopic knee surgery
• following ligament sprain
• post casting
• muscle spasm

Contraindication

• Cardiac pacemakers and Arrhythmias
• Hemorrhagic condition
• Thrombosis and thrombophlebitis (inflammation of the wall of a vein)
• Early tendon transfer and repair
• Pregnancy: On pelvic, low back, and abdomen
• Unconscious patient
• Recent radiotherapy
• Carotid sinus
• A child with mental disturbance
• Malignancy

FAQs