What is the primary role of electrodes in electrotherapy?

The primary role of electrodes in electrotherapy is to conduct electric currents to the skin. Electrodes serve as the interface that connects the electrical equipment to the patient's skin, allowing the therapeutic current to penetrate the body. This conduction is essential for the different treatment modalities like microcurrent therapy, galvanic treatments, and other forms of electrotherapy, which rely on the flow of electrical currents to achieve desired outcomes such as muscle stimulation, pain relief, or improved circulation.

Other options suggest roles that are not directly related to the primary function of electrodes in electrotherapy. For example, isolating the current does not pertain to the primary use of electrodes but rather may refer to safety measures in electrical environments. Similarly, while electrotherapy can contribute to enhancing skin texture indirectly through its effects, this is not the fundamental function of electrodes themselves. Lastly, monitoring heart rate relates to different tools and devices designed for physiological monitoring, rather than the application of therapeutic electrical currents through electrodes.