Final answer:
The electrode of an electrotherapy device that is used on the area to be treated is called the active electrode. It delivers the electrical current to the body and is usually placed directly on the skin or in contact with the area that needs to be treated.
Step-by-step explanation:
The electrode of an electrotherapy device that is used on the area to be treated is called the active electrode. The active electrode is the part of the electrotherapy device that delivers the electrical current to the body. It is usually placed directly on the skin or in contact with the area that needs to be treated.
For example, in transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy, which is commonly used for pain management, the active electrode is a small pad or electrode that is attached to the skin at the site of pain. The electrical current from the active electrode stimulates the nerves in the area, providing pain relief.
Another example is in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a treatment for severe depression. In this therapy, the active electrode is typically placed on the patient's scalp and delivers a controlled electric current to the brain, producing a therapeutic effect.