RUSSIAN CURRENT

Assist. Prof. Baha Naci

2022-2023 Spring Semester
04.04.2023
 INTRODUCTION

 It was first investigated in 1977 by Dr. Yakov Kots.

 It was suggested that its use results in significant increase
in muscle strength (about 30–40%).
 It was suggested that this 2500 Hz medium frequency
interrupted current could produce greater muscle
contraction than a maximal voluntary contraction.
It is basically:
• Medium-frequency current (carrier frequency of 2500Hz)

• Intermittant alternating sinusoidal waveform current

• Waveform delivered in bursts or series of pulses.

Thus, it is known as Burst Modulated Alternating Current

(BMAC)
Russian current is most often used to strengthen muscles. It is
also commonly used to re-educate muscle groups after a nerve
pathway has been damaged, such as in the case of someone
who has had a stroke.
 Although it is a medium frequency current, the nerves
are stimulated because it is interrupted to give a low
frequency stimulation of 50 Hz (in fact like low
frequency faradic type of current).

 Provides maximal electrical stimulation of nearly all

motor units in a muscle to produce contraction that can
not be achieved by the voluntary contraction.

 This produces greater muscle contraction and hence

produces hypertrophy.
 CHARACTERISTICS
 carrier frequency - 2500 HZ(2.5 KHz)
 wave form - poliphasic alternating sinusoidal waveform
 current amplitude - the maximum current amplitude is 100 mA.
Clinical used at 70 mA.
 bursts frequency - 50 Hz (50 bursts/sec)
 bursts duration - 10 ms (25 cycles or 50 pulses per 10 ms)
 Each sinusoidal wave (period) is 0.4 ms
 Pulse/phase duration 0.2 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 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 percentage :
50%

• ramp-up and down : setting the ramp time is crucial to evoked

contraction similar to muscle contraction. as the ramp provides
gradual increase of intensity with associated gradually increase of
muscle contraction. set for 1-2 seconds
As a result, 2500 Hz alternating current with a burst frequency of 50
Hz is called Russian current
 CHARACTERISTICS

 Similar to the pulse widths generated by conventional TENS.

 The difference is that with conventional TENS, the pulses are
seperated by a large interpulse interval while with Russian currents
there is no interpulse interval : positive pulses are immediately
followed by negative pulses.
 The short pulse duration of Russian current produces efficient, pain
free motor stimulation
PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS

 Training protocol with Russian current: (10/50/10) – this protocol leads

to maximum gain with no significant muscular fatigue.
10 = Each muscle contraction lasting for 10 sec
50= off time (no contraction) for 50 sec
10= cycle repeated for 10 times (10 electrical contractions)
 Amplitude/Intensity: (70mA) strong but comfortable muscle cotraction
 Pulse rate (frequency): 50-70 Hz (tetanic muscle contraction)
 Duration of treatment: 10 min
 Frequency of treatment: once daily for 3-6 months
 Electrode placement: Arranged parallel to the direction of muscle fibers
 Apply current during voluntary activities
 Supportive to isometric/izotonic/isokinetic exercise programs
 The on-time may be adjustable from 1 to 20 s (0f
10ms, 50 Hz bursts) and the off-time from 1 to
50s.

 The treatment time can also be varied.

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS / PROTOCOL

1. To improve muscle strength/hypertrophia

 Amplitude: Tetanic muscle contraction

 Pulse rate (Burst frequency):50–70 Hz
 Pulse duration: 150-200µs
 Apply current during the following volitional activities-
Isometric exercise at several points through ROM.
Slow speed isokinetic exercise, e.g. 5-10˚/sec.
Short arc joint movement when ROM restricted.
 10/50/10 – Rule applied. 10-15 mins/session/daily for 3-6
months
THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS / PROTOCOL

2. To reduce spasm

 Amplitude: Tetanic muscle contraction up to patient

tolerance.
 Pulse rate(Burst frequency)- 50-70Hz
 Pulse duration: 50-175µs
 Muscle contraction: stimulation is applied to provide brief
isometric contraction
 On-time 5-12seconds and off time 8-15 seconds
THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS / PROTOCOL

3. To reduce oedema (due to lack of muscle

contraction)

 Amplitude: small visible muscle contraction

 Pulse rate (Burst frequency): 35-50 Hz.
 Pulse duration: around 400µs.
 On: off time: An on-time of 1-2 secs and an off time of 1-
2secs - promote pumping of muscle
 Treatment time: 10-15 mins/session( can be used more
than once a day)
INDICATIONS

• The prime indication for using Russian currents is to

strengthen the muscular system of healthy and athletic
population.
• Post-knee ligament surgery
• Post arthroscopic knee surgery
• Following ligament sprain (ex. for ACL sprain to increase
quadriceps force during immobilisation)
• Post casting
• Muscle spasm
CONTRAINDICATIONS

 Cardiac pacemakers and Arrhythmias

 Hemorrhagic area
 Thrombosis and thrombophlebitis (inflammation of the wall of a vein)
 Early tendon transfer and repair
 Pregnancy: On pelvic, lumbar, and abdomen
 Unconscious patient
 Recent radiotherapy
 Carotid sinus, anterior cervical area
 A child with mental disturbance
 Malignancy
 Metallic and electronic implant
 Impaired skin sensation
 Infected wound and skin lesion
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INTERFERENCIAL CURRENT
AND RUSSIAN CURRENT

 IFT and Russian Current both are medium frequency

current. These current have frequencies between 1000 Hz
and 10000 kHz.
 Interferential Current are Amplitude modulated and
Russian Current are Time modulated.
THANK YOU…