title: Evaluation of Elbow Stretch Reflex Using a Portable Hand-driven Isokinetic System in Normal Adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate normal healthy persons without spasticity to observe normal findings of the elbow stretch reflex using a newly developed, portable, hand-driven spasticity-measuring system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty normal persons without any disease involving the central or peripheral nervous system were enrolled in this study. The portable hand-driven isokinetic system is able to measure the joint angle, angular velocity, electromyographic (EMG) signals, and torque during elbow passive extension-flexion. One set of 10 passive elbow extension and flexion movements was performed for data acquisition at each angular velocity, including 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 degrees per second (°/sec). Electromyographic data were collected from the biceps brachii and the triceps brachii. Torque data were collected from sensors around the wrist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We were able to detect EMG activity and torque in all subjects by using the new portable hand-driven isokinetic system. EMG activity and torque increased with incremental increase of angular velocities. The joint angle of maximal EMG activity according to different angular velocities did not show any significant difference (116°-127° in elbow extension and 37°-66° in elbow flexion). The joint angles of maximal torque according to different angular velocities were not significantly different either.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using the portable hand-driven isokinetic system on the elbows of normal subjects, we were able to obtain expected results. By considering our normal findings of the elbow stretch reflex using this system, we propose that the various aspects of spasticity-related data can be measured successfully.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Institute for Medical Sciences, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju 561-180, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Soon-Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Yook
authors.forename: Chul-Gyu
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Myoung-Hwan
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Sung-Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park