title: Modulation of the ipsilateral and contralateral H reflexes following ipsilateral mechanical pressure of the foot in normal subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mechanoreceptors from the foot sole likely contribute in the reflex regulations. Therefore, it was hypothesized that repetitive low threshold afferents stimulation would have an inhibitory effect on the soleus H-reflexes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen normal subjects voluntarily, participated in the study and were randomly allocated. Subjects were remained in prone position. The Cutaneous Mechanical Pressure (CMP equal to 50% of leg and foot weight) was applied to the ipsilateral lateral and Medial plantar surface by a designed instrument through a square plate (30 x 30 mm). H reflex as an indicator for excitability of motoneurones was bilaterally elicited before and after the application of the CMP. The H-reflex parameters were estimated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mechanical pressure significantly depressed soleus H-reflex excitability in ipsilateral and contralateral feet in all subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The demonstration of a decrease in H-reflex excitability as a result of applied pressure to the foot sole suggests that the change in reflex excitability is the result of a common spinal mechanism. The results highlight the modulatory effects that natural stimulation of afferents can have on reflex excitability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The placement of a small flat plate, in order to apply pressure to the plantar eminence, may be useful for modulation of muscle tone. In addition, these findings might be useful for reducing spasticity; because spasticity is at least partially caused by hyperexcitability of the motorneuron pool.
authors: Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Pich-Shemiran, Tehran, Iran. andisheh_bas@yahoo.com
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Bastani
authors: M R
authors: MR
authors: Hadian
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Talebian
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Bagheri
authors: G R
authors: GR
authors: Olyaie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000294:innervation*; D006181:H-Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000502:physiology*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000503:physiopathology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D016684:Prone Position; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires