Stimulationsdauer

Stimulationsdauer refers to the length of time during which a stimulus is applied to a system, organism, or device. It is a key parameter in experimental design, rehabilitation, and biomedical engineering, because it influences response magnitude, timing, and safety. In electrical or magnetic stimulation, Stimulationsdauer is distinguished from pulse duration (the length of a single stimulus event) and from train duration (the total time a sequence of pulses is delivered). Durations can range from milliseconds for single pulses to minutes or longer for therapeutic sessions, and are specified in protocols or device settings.

The effects of stimulation duration depend on context. Short durations may evoke transient responses, while longer durations can enhance effects but raise risks of adaptation, fatigue, or tissue heating. In research, the duration is chosen to achieve a target response while maintaining safety and reproducibility. In clinical applications such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), predefined durations reflect safety guidelines and therapeutic goals. In vitro and animal studies likewise control the duration to study dose–response relationships.

Reporting typically includes the onset-to-offset interval, plus details on pulse width, inter-pulse interval, and total train length. Understanding Stimulationsdauer supports comparability across studies and consistency in therapy protocols.