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3
3.2
3.2.5 Pulse width or duration
Pulse width or pulse duration describes the time in microseconds (µsec)
taken to complete one section of the waveform usually the positive phase.
Typically, this is 200µsec. Variations of pulse width have no discernible
effect on the efficacy of treatment but if they become too long, >500µsec,
problems related to polarisation, electrolysis, destruction and burning of
the tissue under the electrodes can result. It is a standard practice to
increase the pulse width as the frequency of the current is reduced, eg. the
standard setting for 2pps is 200µsec and for 80pps and above 80µsec.
This titration of pulse width to frequency leads to a greater degree of
patient comfort during treatment. Pulses wider than 1.0msec do not further
enhance nerve activation but increase problems due to polarisation,
electrophoresis and tissue heating and limit the pulse rates which can be
used 8.