1. Diadynamic Current Dr. Mohammed Taher Ahmed E-mail-momarar@ksu. edu
Diadynamic Current Dr. Mohammed Taher Ahmed mobile

2. History of Diadynamic
Diadynamic current is discovered by Pierre Bernar, a French Dentist, in France, later spread to Russia, Germany, and Poland, in the late of 1960s and early 1970 spread to Canada and Australia.
Basic principle of diadynamic current is an electronic modulation of symmetrical biphasic sinusoidal waveform, with carrier frequency of (50-60Hz).
Pulse duration is extremely long, (6-10msec) so, it is more painful.

3. Half-Wave Rectification (Single Phase or Monophasé Fixe (MF)
Eliminates the second half of each AC cycle
Produce a monophasic pulsed current
Pulse duration equal to the inter-pulse interval
Frequency equal to that of the original (50Hz).
                                                                 

4. Full-Wave Rectification (Double Phase or Diphasé Fixe (DF)
Duplicate the second half of each AC cycle
Direct monophasic current
No inter-pulse interval
Frequency is twice to original (=100Hz.)

5. Diadynamic Modes Fixed monophase (MF) Fixed diaphase (DF)
Short period (CP)
Long Period (LP)
Syncopal Rhythem (RS)

6. Fixed Monophase (MF) Diadynamic
Half wave rectified alternating sinusoidal current
Frequency = 50Hz
Pulse period = inter-pulse interval = 10ms ,
Strong vibration for long time.
Used for treatment of pain without muscle spasm.
Connective tissue trauma [Ligament sprains)
Phantom pain

7. Fixed Diaphase (DF) Diadynamic
Full wave rectified alternating sinusoidal current
Frequency of 100Hz
Continuous series of 10ms impulse
Produce stabbing and prickling sensation
Used to
Improved circulation, (under water therapy).
Analgesia (100 Hz),
As a pretreatment for CP and LP

8. Short Period (CP) Diadynamic
Alternating delivery of equal DF and MF, No intervening pauses.
Abrupt changes between the tensing MF current and relaxing DF current.
In DF, there are fine tremors
In MF, there are strong and constant vibration
Intensity of the MF current is 11 % lower than that of the DF
Muscle & ligament traumas, acute injuries.
Heat may be a problem in acute cases & cold packs can be used

9. Long Period (LP) Diadynamic
It consists of 6-10 seconds of MF followed by a 5 seconds of DF in which the peak intensity is varied (surged)
The whole change of the MF surge to DF (5-6S) and back to MF(5-6S) that lasts for seconds
The gradual raising and lowering in amplitude is associated with more pleasant sensation than produced by CP.
Neuralgia, myalgia, arthralgia & chronic pain conditions.
LP has a long lasting analgesic effect

10. Syncopal Rhythem (RS) Diadynamic
It is a delivery of fixed duration of MF, followed by equal rest duration (i.e. 1 second phase of MF followed by 1 second rest phase).
It can be used as
Faradic stimulation of muscles
Motor test of nerve excitability

11. Physiological Effects
Masking of pain
Vasomotor effects
Muscle stimulation
Stimulation of sensory nerve lead to decrease excitability (inhibitory effect) which lead to increase threshold and pain reduction.
Stimulate release of histamine & histamine like substance that causes vasodilatation
&Hyperemia.
Both CP&LP causes muscle contraction vi depolarization of motor nerve fibers, thus lead to increase blood flow and reduce edema

12. Therapeutic Effects and Indications
Relief of pain
Decrease inflammation & edema.
Muscle re-education
Increase local circulation.
Facilitation of tissue healing.

13. Contraindications, Dangers & Precautions
Dangers and Precautions
Skin breakdown and burn : monophasic nature of diadynamic current may lead over time to skin damage and burn.
This can be over come by short period of application or reversible of polarity.
Contraindications
Over neoplasic lesion.
Over extreme edema.
Over hemorrhagic area.
Over osteomyleities
Over anterior cervical.
Over transcranial area.
Over electronic implants.
Over superficial metal.
Diadynamic current has relative high DC amplitude, so that there is a significant chance of skin damage occurrence.
Skin damage is due to electrochemical changes and changes in the pH value of the skin.

14. Methods of Application (electrode placement0) of Diadynamic Current

15. Electrodes Placement Pain Spot Application
Bipolar technique; in which the anode applied over pain spot area and cathode adjacent to it.
Monopolar technique; in which the anode applied over pain spot area and the cathode may be applied;
Proximal on the limb
Over nerve root supplying painful area.

16. Electrodes Placement Myo-energitic Application
Bipolar; in which two electrodes are positioned at each end of muscle belly .
Monopolar, in which one electrode may be placed on the motor point and the other proximal to it.
Vasotropic Application
Along the vascular paths affected the circulatory disorders being treated.
Trans-regional Application
To treat joint electrodes may be placed opposite to each other.

17. Electrodes Placement Paravertebral Application
The electrodes may be placed on both sides of the spine at the level of the nerve root supplying the painful area.
If several nerves roots are involved, the electrodes may be applied alongside the spine at the highest and lowest nerve root levels.
Nerve Trunk Application
The two electrodes are placed along the course of the peripheral nerve trunk where it is superficial.
The pt. should feel a tingling sensation in the area supplied by the nerve stimulated.

18. Dosage of Treatment Intensity-
The intensity of the currents should be increased, gradually and the following phenomena take place;
1.The patient should feel the current as
(vibration or prickling, tingling, stabbing) .
2. Increased intensity, the motor nerves are activated and the muscles begin to contract.
3. Further increased of intensity, the patient begins to experience slight pain & or burning sensation.(should be avoided)

19. Dosage of Treatment 4-Duration of treatment 5-Frequency of treatment
Total application time minutes
Single application time 3 minutes.
5-Frequency of treatment
6-9 treatments either daily or day per day