Reorganization of flexion reflexes in the upper extremity of hemiparetic subjects. Muscle Nerve 1999 Sep;22(9):1209-21
Date
08/24/1999Pubmed ID
10454716DOI
10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199909)22:9<1209::aid-mus7>3.0.co;2-bScopus ID
2-s2.0-0032841654 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 49 CitationsAbstract
We examined spatiotemporal abnormalities in the flexor reflex response in the impaired upper extremity of hemiparetic subjects. Electrical stimulation was used to elicit flexion reflexes in both upper extremities of 8 hemiparetic brain-injured and 6 control subjects. Electromyograms (EMGs) were recorded from 12 arm muscles, and reflex forces and moments were recorded at the wrist with a load cell, and converted to shoulder and elbow torques. We found that the onset of reflex torque and EMG was delayed in the impaired arm and delays were greater at the shoulder than at the elbow. The normal reflex torque response consisted of elbow flexion, shoulder extension, and shoulder adduction. In contrast, in the impaired limb shoulder, flexion torque was observed in 7 subjects and shoulder abduction in 3. The delays in reflex onset and altered torque patterns in the impaired arm may be related to the abnormal movement synergies observed following stroke. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Author List
Dewald JP, Beer RF, Given JD, McGuire JR, Rymer WZAuthor
John R. McGuire MD Professor in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultArm
Brain Injuries
Electric Stimulation
Electromyography
Female
Hemiplegia
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Reaction Time
Reflex
