Diadynamic Stimulators

This class of electrical stimulators has been used in Europe and Canada, however diadynamic stimulators may unfamiliar to most practitioners in the US.  These devices use variations of the sine wave to produce monophasic and biphasic continuous or pulsed currents. Polarity reversing is recommended to reduce the undesirable effects of DC on the skin.

Two main types which are characterized by the different types of waveforms produced by the device.
            Half-wave rectification (single phase or monophasé fixe (MF))
                        Eliminates the second half of each AC cycle to produce a monophasic pulsed current with a pulse duration equal to the interpulse interval and a frequency equal to that of the original AC
            Full-wave rectification (double phase or diphasé fixe (DF))
                        Produces a monophasic pulsed current with no interpulse internal at twice the original AC frequency

                         
           
                            Example of ½ Wave                             Example of Full Wave
                            Diadynamic Stimulation                                     Diadynamic Stimulation
                            Pattern                                                             Pattern        

TYPES OF WAVEFORMS
            Sinusoidal (half-wave and full wave)
            Symmetric

CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Many devices recommend the administration of a DC before application of the diadynamic current.  This may not be well accepted by the horse depending on the amplitude.