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A Comparison of Methods to Assess the Excitability of Lower Motoneurones

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Ivan G. Milanov
Ivan G. Milanov*
Affiliation:
Institute of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, Bulgarian Medical Academy, Sofia
*
Institute of Neurology, Psychiatry & Neurosurgery, Bui. “Lenin” – IV km. Sofia 1113, Bulgaria
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Abstract:

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The purpose of this investigation was to compare three methods of assessing the excitability of lower motoneurones—TA-reflex, H-reflex and F-wave—in 120 patients with spastic hemiparesis following a stroke. The H-reflex was recorded from the soleus muscle after submaximal electrostimulation of the tibial nerve. The T-Achilles (TA) reflex was recorded from the soleus muscle after percussion of the Achilles tendon. The F-wave was recorded in the distal limb muscles after supramaximal electrostimulation of the median, ulnar, fibular and tibial nerves. The patient’s healthy side was used as a control. The TA-reflex, H-reflex and F-wave showed increased amplitudes on the spastic side. All amplitude ratios: TA/M, H/M, Fmax/M and Fmean/M were increased. The H-reflex thresholds were decreased. The F-wave duration, persistence and number of phases were also increased on the spastic side. Despite clinically decreased muscle tone, there were no changes in TA or H-reflex parameters after treatment. On the other hand, F-wave parameters tended to normalize after treatment in all groups. In conclusion, the F-wave is a more sensitive method than the TA and H-reflexes in assessing the excitability of the lower motoneurone.

Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 19 , Issue 1 , February 1992 , pp. 64 - 68
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1992

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