What does duty cycle refer to in electrical stimulation?

Duty cycle refers specifically to the ratio of the "on" time to the total time of stimulation in electrical stimulation settings. This concept is crucial because it dictates how long a stimulating signal is actively delivered compared to the total time over which that signal is applied, which includes both the "on" (active) and "off" (inactive) phases.

A higher duty cycle means that the electrical stimulation is applied for a greater percentage of the time, which can influence the overall effectiveness and comfort of the therapy. For therapeutic applications, understanding and controlling the duty cycle allows practitioners to manipulate the muscle contractions and responses depending on the treatment goals.

In contrast, frequency of electrical pulses refers to how often the pulses are delivered per second, while the duration of each pulse pertains to the length of time each individual pulse lasts. The amplitude of the electrical current relates to the strength of the stimulation, but none of these factors define the duty cycle itself, which is distinctly focused on the timing of the "on" and "off" periods.