Transcript ALTENS Treatment Instruction

RTOG 0537
ALTENS vs Pilocarpine in
Treating Early Radiation-Induced
Xerostomia
ALTENS Treatment Instruction
Raimond Wong, MD
Principal Investigator
Delivering ALTENS treatment
is a simple process.
Please also consult the accompanying
user manual!
Step 1
• Make sure patient is comfortable, e.g., lying
down or reclining slightly.
• Each patient must have his/her own set of
reusable electrodes; include the patient’s
name on each set.
• The electrodes are large, so you will be able
to access the acupuncture points easily.
Step 2
• Place electrodes on the specific acupuncture
points: CV24, LI4, Sp6, St36
• The electrodes are self-adhesive. Wetting
the electrode sticky surface with distilled
(not mineral) water will help to maintain
stickiness. If necessary, taping the electrode
to the patient’s skin will help.
CV24: In the groove of the chin
below the middle of the lower lip
CV24
LI4 (both sides): On the dorsal side
of the hand. On the thumb side of the
middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone
St36 (both sides):
• 4 finger breath
(patient’s finger
breath) below lower
border of patella and
one finger breath
lateral to anterior tibial
crest
Sp6 (both sides):
• On the medial (inner)
side of the calf, 4
finger breath superior
to the tip of the medial
malleolus and just
posterior to the tibial
bone
• Patient may feel
‘bruised’ when the
point is pressed
Step 3: Check the machine
before connecting the electrodes
Charger is removed
Machine
should be
turned off
Wires connected.
Green wire to
green connector.
Code setting
is III
In Adjust
Mode
All Output
Intensity
knobs are
set to zero.
Step 4: Connect the electrodes
• Bring the machine
closer to the patient.
• Separate wires into
left and right sets.
Step 5: Adjust output intensity
one
electrode
at
a
time
1) Turn on
machine
2) Keep in
Adjust Mode
3) Green light of each
electrode will, in turn, be on
for 10 seconds. For each
electrode, adjust the
intensity slowly until patient
feels strong but comfortable
stimulation.
Step 6: Start treatment after
finished intensity adjustment
Switch to
Treat Mode
Each electrode will be on
randomly for 10 seconds each
time. This randomized
stimulation process will reduce
brain habituation, resulting in
more effective stimulation.
Step 7: Set timer for 20 minutes
Each treatment
session is
20 minutes.
Step 8: When session is finished, turn
machine off and reset all settings
Charge
machine
Machine
should be
turned off
Code setting
is III
In Adjust
mode
All Output
Intensity
knobs are
set to zero
Step 9
• Put electrodes back on
the plastic sheets.
• Wet with distilled
water from time to
time to maintain
stickiness.
Done!
If you have questions, please do not
hesitate to contact the Principal
Investigator, Raimond Wong, MD
Phone: 905-387-9495, x64704
E-mail: [email protected]
Thank you for joining RTOG 0537!