How should you progress from sensory to motor stimulation safely?

• A. Begin at sensory threshold, gradually increase amplitude while watching contractions and patient tolerance; ensure comfortable onset and avoid discomfort.
• B. Begin at maximum amplitude to elicit motor contraction immediately.
• C. Skip sensory and go straight to pain threshold.
• D. Only adjust frequency and ignore amplitude.

Answer: (A)

Starting at sensory threshold and gradually increasing the amplitude is the safest way to bring a muscle into action with electrical stimulation. This approach lets the patient feel the stimulus first without any contraction, so you can monitor comfort and tolerance. As you mildly raise the current, you watch for a comfortable onset and patient feedback, then continue only until a visible or palpable contraction occurs if the patient can tolerate it. This stepwise progression reduces the risk of sudden strong contractions, pain, skin irritation, or fatigue and helps ensure the motor response is achieved safely and effectively. If you can’t obtain a comfortable motor contraction, reassess electrode placement or impedance rather than cranking up the intensity.