Higashi T, Funase K, Kusano K, Tabira T, Harada N, Sakakibara A, Yoshimura T. Motoneuron pool excitability of hemiplegic patients: assessing recovery stages by using H-reflex and M response.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2001;
82:1604-10. [PMID:
11689982 DOI:
10.1053/apmr.2001.25081]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To compare the excitability of the motoneuron pools of both the spastic and the unimpaired sides of patients with hemiplegia with a new method by using H-reflexes and M responses. The method determines the ratio of the developmental slope of the H-reflex (Hslp) to the slope of the M response (Mslp). We also examined the relation between the Brunnstrom stages and the Hslp/Mslp.
DESIGN
Experiment.
SETTING
Electrophysiologic experimental laboratory in a Japanese medical school.
PATIENTS
Fifteen hemiplegic patients (9 men, 6 women; age range, 48-71yr; mean, 60yr) with spasticity caused by a stroke.
INTERVENTIONS
The subject was instructed to relax while seated in a reclining chair with his foot fixed on an immobile pedal. After the soleus H-reflex and M responses on one side were recorded, the same experimental procedures were carried out on the other side.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Hslp/Mslp Brunnstrom stages.
RESULTS
Hslp/Mslp had better predictive value than conventional indicators of motoneuron pool excitability. Hslp/Mslp appeared to be a better match for the bell-shaped pattern of the Brunnstrom stages.
CONCLUSION
Hslp/Mslp is the preferred index for evaluating the motoneuron pool excitability of the spastic side of hemiplegic patients.
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