title: Acute effects of high-frequency microfocal vibratory stimulation on the H reflex of the soleus muscle. A double-blind study in healthy subjects.
abstract: This study in healthy subjects examined the effects of a system delivering focal microvibrations at high frequency (Equistasi®) on tonic vibration stimulus (TVS)-induced inhibition of the soleus muscle H reflex. Highfrequency microvibrations significantly increased the inhibitory effect of TVS on the H reflex for up to three minutes. Moreover, Equistasi® also significantly reduced alpha-motoneuron excitability, as indicated by the changes in the ratio between the maximumamplitude H reflex (Hmax reflex) and the maximumamplitude muscle response (Mmax response); this effect was due to reduction of the amplitude of the H reflex because the amplitude of muscle response remained unchanged. The present findings indicate that Equistasi® has a modulatory effect on proprioceptive reflex circuits. Therefore, Equistasi® might interfere with some mechanisms involved in both physiological and pathophysiological control of movement and of posture.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alfonsi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paone
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tassorelli
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Icco
authors.forename: Arrigo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moglia
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alvisi
authors.forename: Lucky
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marchetta
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fresia
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Montini
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calabrese
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Versiglia
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sandrini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006181:H-Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D014732:Vibration; D055815:Young Adult