Summary
Highlights
Russian stimulation uses a sinusoidal current with a frequency of 2500 to 4000 Hz, modulated at 100% amplitude by low frequencies of 5 to 100 Hz, forming 'bursts' or 'trains'. These bursts are a succession of positive and negative sinusoidal currents with a period of development and a period of pause. The carrier current is an alternating current ranging from 2000 to 2500 Hz, with all amplitudes being equal.
The modulation of Russian currents is characterized by two intervals: the 'on' time or 'paso' (pass time), which is when the pulse trains stimulate and can last from 1 to 60 seconds; and the 'off' time or 'cese' (cessation time), which is the pause between pulse trains and can last from 1 to 120 seconds.
The work cycle defines the percentage of stimulation versus pause. For example, a 25% work cycle means stimulation covers 25% of the total cycle, and the pause covers 75%. This is illustrated with examples like a 10-second 'on' time and a 30-second 'off' time resulting in a 25% work cycle over 40 seconds, or a 5-second 'on' and 30-second 'off' for a 14.2% work cycle over 35 seconds. A common on-off ratio is 1:2, where the rest time is double the stimulation time, though other ratios are possible.
Bipolar electrodes are used for Russian currents, meaning two electrodes are always necessary. The current's interference creates the burst within the device, not outside. Techniques include single bipolar or double bipolar, where two pairs of electrodes are used. During the 'on' period, resistance can be added to further enhance muscle work capacity.
Russian currents are a medium-frequency electrotherapy technique, specifically modulated in amplitude. They were introduced to the U.S. by Kots from the Soviet Union in 1977.