CCAT Therapeutic Modalities and Application 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A dog with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is referred for rehabilitation. Which modality should be AVOIDED during the acute inflammatory phase immediately post-surgery?
- Cryotherapy over the incision site
- Continuous therapeutic ultrasound directly over the surgical site (Correct answer)
- Gentle PROM of distal limbs
- Electrical stimulation distal to the lesion
Correct answer: Continuous therapeutic ultrasound directly over the surgical site
Continuous ultrasound over fresh surgical incisions or acute inflammation can exacerbate tissue damage and is contraindicated.
Question 2: The duty cycle in pulsed ultrasound therapy refers to:
- The ratio of intensity to frequency
- The percentage of time the ultrasound beam is active during a pulse period (Correct answer)
- The total treatment duration in minutes
- The depth of tissue penetration achieved
Correct answer: The percentage of time the ultrasound beam is active during a pulse period
Duty cycle is the proportion of time ultrasound is emitting during each pulse cycle, expressed as a percentage (e.g., 20% duty cycle = mostly non-thermal effect).
Question 3: Which type of therapeutic exercise specifically improves proprioception and balance in a dog recovering from orthopedic injury?
- Concentric strengthening on a flat surface
- Static weight shifting on an unstable surface like a wobble board (Correct answer)
- Passive stretching
- Resistive swimming against current
Correct answer: Static weight shifting on an unstable surface like a wobble board
Unstable surfaces challenge the proprioceptive system and neuromuscular control, improving balance and joint position sense.
Question 4: Iontophoresis uses direct electrical current to drive ionically charged drugs through the skin. A negatively charged drug (anion) should be placed under which electrode?
- The anode (positive electrode)
- The cathode (negative electrode) (Correct answer)
- Either electrode equally
- The dispersive pad
Correct answer: The cathode (negative electrode)
Like charges repel, so a negatively charged drug is driven into tissues by placement under the cathode (negative electrode).
Question 5: When using the underwater treadmill for a cat, which water temperature range is generally recommended to promote comfort and muscle relaxation?
- 10–15°C
- 17–20°C
- 28–34°C (Correct answer)
- 38–42°C
Correct answer: 28–34°C
Water temperatures of 28–34°C are warm enough to promote muscle relaxation and pain relief while minimizing heat stress risk.
Question 6: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is used in canine rehabilitation primarily for which condition?
- Acute muscle tears requiring hemostasis
- Chronic tendinopathies and calcific deposits (Correct answer)
- Post-surgical wound closure
- Peripheral nerve regeneration after amputation
Correct answer: Chronic tendinopathies and calcific deposits
ESWT is evidence-based for chronic enthesopathies, tendinopathies, and calcified soft tissue lesions by promoting neovascularization and tissue remodeling.
Question 7: In photobiomodulation, what is meant by the 'optical window' of tissue?
- The transparent area of the cornea used as a laser entry point
- The wavelength range (600–1100 nm) where light penetrates tissue most deeply (Correct answer)
- The aperture diameter of the laser handpiece
- The time window after injury when laser is most effective
Correct answer: The wavelength range (600–1100 nm) where light penetrates tissue most deeply
The optical window (600–1100 nm) avoids heavy absorption by water and hemoglobin, allowing maximum tissue penetration for photobiomodulation.
CCAT Therapeutic Modalities and Application 4
A dog with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is referred for rehabilitation.
Which modality should be AVOIDED during the acute inflammatory phase immediately post-surgery?