title: Limb segment vibration modulates spinal reflex excitability and muscle mRNA expression after spinal cord injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the effect of various doses of vertical oscillation (vibration) on soleus H-reflex amplitude and post-activation depression in individuals with and without SCI. We also explored the acute effect of short-term limb vibration on skeletal muscle mRNA expression of genes associated with spinal plasticity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six healthy adults and five chronic complete SCI subjects received vibratory stimulation of their tibia over three different gravitational accelerations (0.3g, 0.6g, and 1.2g) at a fixed frequency (30Hz). Soleus H-reflexes were measured before, during, and after vibration. Two additional chronic complete SCI subjects had soleus muscle biopsies 3h following a single bout of vibration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  H-reflex amplitude was depressed over 83% in both groups during vibration. This vibratory-induced inhibition lasted over 2min in the control group, but not in the SCI group. Post-activation depression was modulated during the long-lasting vibratory inhibition. A single bout of mechanical oscillation altered mRNA expression from selected genes associated with synaptic plasticity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vibration of the lower leg inhibits the H-reflex amplitude, influences post-activation depression, and alters skeletal muscle mRNA expression of genes associated with synaptic plasticity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limb segment vibration may offer a long term method to reduce spinal reflex excitability after SCI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Shuo-Hsiu
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Shih-Chiao
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.forename: Colleen L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: McHenry
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Littmann
authors.forename: Manish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suneja
authors.forename: Richard K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Shields
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006181:H-Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000294:innervation* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000503:physiopathology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger