There is a degree of confusion with regards this intervention, mostly caused by there being several 'names' or descriptions for the same intervention.
Essentially, this type of electrical stimulation employs what is referred to as a medium frequency alternating current (in the low kHz range - thousands of cycles a second), which is delivered in a pulsed (or burst or interrupted) output. The pulsing or bursting is at a 'low' frequency, and as a result, nerves will respond. It is primarily employed as a means to generating a motor response, though as will be seen (below), it has also been investigated as an electro-analgesia type intervention.
Russian Stimulation was probably the earliest name for this stimulation type. Several multi-modal stimulation devices include it as one of their options. Burst Mode Alternating Current (BMAC) is a more generic and more recently employed term, which is probably preferable. Aussie Stimulation (see below) is a play on the original Russian Stimulation, and is not especially insightful as a descriptor. BMAC is probably the term that could be used and should persist.
Russian Stimulation - History
The credit for the early work in this field is ascribed to Kotz, based in Russia. There is some difficulty in accessing the papers, and several of the key research findings were not included in the published work. Ward and Shkuratova (2002) have done some work on translating the early Russian language publications and summarising the issues raised. This summary is derived largely from their work, to whom credit is given. If you have an interest in the original work, you are strongly encouraged to access the Ward and Shkuratova (2002) paper. Selkowitz (1989) has also provided a very useful review of the background research.
Both the Ward and Shkuratova (2002) and the Selkowitz (1989) papers are supportive of the basic concept and broadly agree that this intervention has supportive evidence. It is suggested in the Selkowitz review that although there is evidence for an increased muscle force being generated with Russian Stimulation (hereafter RStim), there is little evidence that is it more effective than exercise alone nor was it evidenced that it was better than other forms of stimulation. That is not to say that it was considered ineffective - just that at the time of the review it did not 'outrank' other interventions.
The stimulation was applied at a range of 'medium' frequencies (100-500-1000-2500-3000-5000Hz) and it was found that as the stimulating frequency increased, there was a greater comfort for the recipient, and it was therefore (predictably) identified that a greater current could be delivered to the muscle with increased (higher) frequencies.
The researchers concluded that 2500Hz (2.5kHz) was the most effective frequency at which to stimulate muscle tissue (1000Hz or 1kHz was more effective for nerve trunk stimulation), stimulating for a 10 second duration. Using a 2500Hz stimulation at 10milliseconds means that the effective muscle stimulation is at 50Hz.
The continuous vs burst protocols were evaluated (i.e. continuous 2500Hz or 2500Hz burst at 10ms intervals). There was no significant difference in the maximal force generated, but the burst mode generated the same result with less current having been applied (50% less). The recommendation is therefore that the stimulation should be applied with a 2500Hz carrier medium frequency sinusoidal alternating current, burst at 50 Hz (10ms ON : 10ms OFF) at a maximum tolerable level.
