CCAT Therapeutic Modalities and Application 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During joint mobilization in a dog with hip osteoarthritis, which grade of Maitland joint mobilization is used to treat pain rather than stiffness?
- Grade IV
- Grade III
- Grade I or II (Correct answer)
- Grade V
Correct answer: Grade I or II
Grades I and II are small-amplitude oscillations within resistance-free range used primarily for pain modulation, not stretching.
Question 2: Which aquatic therapy parameter is most important to monitor when treating a brachycephalic dog breed in a hydrotherapy pool?
- Belt speed
- Water salinity
- Water temperature and duration to prevent overheating (Correct answer)
- Pool depth
Correct answer: Water temperature and duration to prevent overheating
Brachycephalic breeds are prone to hyperthermia and respiratory distress, making water temperature and session duration critical safety parameters.
Question 3: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) differs from TENS primarily because NMES:
- Uses alternating current instead of pulsed direct current
- Targets sensory nerves to reduce pain
- Produces visible muscle contractions via motor nerve stimulation (Correct answer)
- Requires electrode placement at trigger points only
Correct answer: Produces visible muscle contractions via motor nerve stimulation
NMES uses sufficient current intensity to depolarize motor nerves, producing muscle contractions for strengthening or re-education.
Question 4: A therapist applies moist heat to a dog's hip before manual therapy. What is the PRIMARY therapeutic goal of this preparatory thermal modality?
- Reduce joint effusion
- Increase tissue extensibility and reduce muscle guarding (Correct answer)
- Stimulate nociceptors
- Decrease local metabolic rate
Correct answer: Increase tissue extensibility and reduce muscle guarding
Superficial heat increases tissue temperature, reducing muscle spasm and improving collagen extensibility before stretching or manipulation.
Question 5: Which condition is a specific indication for cryotherapy rather than thermotherapy in a canine rehabilitation patient?
- Chronic fibrosis
- Muscle tightness prior to stretching
- Acute soft tissue injury within 72 hours (Correct answer)
- Nerve entrapment syndrome
Correct answer: Acute soft tissue injury within 72 hours
Cryotherapy is indicated in the acute phase (first 48–72 hours) to reduce inflammation, edema, and pain via vasoconstriction.
Question 6: In therapeutic laser dosimetry, power density (irradiance) is expressed in:
- Joules per cm²
- Watts per cm² (Correct answer)
- Hertz per cm²
- Milliamperes per cm²
Correct answer: Watts per cm²
Power density (irradiance) is measured in W/cm² and describes the concentration of power at the tissue surface.
Question 7: When performing passive range of motion (PROM) exercises, what is the key distinction from active assisted range of motion (AAROM)?
- PROM is performed only in water
- PROM requires no muscular effort from the patient (Correct answer)
- PROM uses resistance throughout the range
- PROM must be preceded by electrical stimulation
Correct answer: PROM requires no muscular effort from the patient
PROM is performed entirely by the therapist with no voluntary muscle contraction required from the patient, preserving joint mobility without loading muscles.
CCAT Therapeutic Modalities and Application 3
During joint mobilization in a dog with hip osteoarthritis, which grade of Maitland joint mobilization is used to treat pain rather than stiffness?