Faculty Collaboration Database

Rebound responses to prolonged flexor reflex stimuli in human spinal cord injury. Exp Brain Res 2009 Feb;193(2):225-37

Date

10/31/2008

Pubmed ID

18972107

DOI

10.1007/s00221-008-1614-3

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-59849108283 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   4 Citations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the reflex effects of electrical stimulation applied to the thigh using skin electrodes, targeting the sensory fibers of the rectus femoris and sartorius, in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Thirteen individuals with SCI were recruited to participate in experiments using prolonged electrical stimuli on the right medial thigh over the regions of the sartorius and rectus femoris muscles. Three stimuli, spaced 20 s apart, were applied at 30 Hz for 1 s at four different intensities (15-60 mA) while subjects rested in a seated position. Isometric joint torques of the hip, knee and ankle, and electromyograms (EMGs) from six muscles of the leg were recorded during the stimulation. Early in the stimulation, a flexion response was observed at the hip and ankle, analogous to a flexor reflex; however, this response was usually followed by a "rebound" response consisting of hip extension, knee flexion and ankle plantarflexion, occurring in 10/13 subjects. Stimuli applied in a more lateral (mid thigh) electrode position (i.e. over the rectus femoris) were less effective in producing the response than medial placement, despite vigorous quadriceps activation. This complex reflex response is consistent with activation of a coordinating spinal circuit that could play a role in motor function. The reversal of the reflex pattern emphasizes the potential connection between skin/muscle afferents of the thigh, possibly including sartorius muscle afferents and locomotor reflex centers. This knowledge may be helpful in identifying rehabilitation strategies for enhancing gait training in human SCI.

Author List

Wu M, Kahn JH, Hornby TG, Schmit BD

Author

Brian Schmit PhD Professor in the Biomedical Engineering department at Marquette University

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Analysis of Variance
Ankle Joint
Electric Stimulation
Electromyography
Hip Joint
Humans
Knee Joint
Lower Extremity
Middle Aged
Muscle Contraction
Muscle, Skeletal
Quadriceps Muscle
Reflex
Spinal Cord Injuries
Torque
Young Adult