title: Inhibitory effects of circumferential pressure on flexor carpi radialis H-reflex in adults with neurological deficits.
abstract: The effects of circumferential air-splint pressure on the flexor carpi radialis H-reflex in 22 participants with cerebrovascular accident and 5 with spinal cord injury were examined. H-reflexes were assessed by measuring the peak-to-peak amplitude change before, during, and after circumferential pressure was applied to the forearm. 12 H-reflexes (H/M ratio: M = 25%; SD = 14) were recorded before pressure application to obtain a baseline value for comparison of data. A pneumatic 34-cm air splint inflated to 51-60 mmHg provided pressure around the forearm. H-reflex recordings were taken at 1, 3, and 5 min. during and 1 min. after application of pressure. A one-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was applied to compare pressure and postpressure measurements against the baseline value. Tukey multiple-comparison tests were used when significant F ratios were noted. Analysis indicated H-reflex amplitudes decreased significantly at 1, 3, and 5 min. during pressure and quickly returned to baseline when pressure was released. The study suggests air splints decreased the H-reflex in participants with neurological deficits and may be used in the upper extremity temporarily to reduce muscle activity associated with neurological dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Department, University of Rhode Island, Kingston 02881, USA. gusser@uri.edu
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Agostinucci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000294:innervation*; D006181:H-Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation*; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D012016:Reference Values; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013165:Splints; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*