Faculty Collaboration Database

Soleus H-reflex recruitment is not altered in persons with chronic spinal cord injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004 May;85(5):840-7

Date

05/07/2004

Pubmed ID

15129411

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3298881

DOI

10.1016/j.apmr.2003.08.087

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-2942657220 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   42 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether spasticity in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with elevated monosynaptic reflex excitability.

DESIGN: One-way experimental.

SETTING: Research laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 9 subjects (8 men, 1 woman) with chronic and complete SCI and 20 persons (14 men, 6 women) with no neurologic impairment. Subjects with SCI exhibited lower-extremity spasticity as indicated by velocity-dependent increased resistance to passive muscle stretch, abnormally brisk deep tendon reflexes, involuntary lower-extremity flexion and/or extension spasms, and clonus.

INTERVENTION: Soleus H-reflex recruitment curves were elicited in all subjects.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Soleus H-reflex threshold (HTH), gain (HGN), and amplitude (HPP).

RESULTS: There was no difference between subjects with and without SCI in HTH, HGN, or HPP.

CONCLUSIONS: Spasticity in people with chronic and complete SCI was not associated with increased excitability of the connections between Ia afferent projections and motoneurons. Factors extrinsic to these connections may have a role in spasticity caused by SCI.

Author List

Schindler-Ivens SM, Shields RK

Author

Sheila Schindler-Ivens PhD Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy department at Marquette University

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

Adult
Case-Control Studies
Chronic Disease
Electromyography
Female
H-Reflex
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Muscle Spasticity
Muscle, Skeletal
Recruitment, Neurophysiological
Sampling Studies
Spinal Cord Injuries