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Stretch Reflex Latencies in Spastic Hemiparetic Subjects are Prolonged After Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Christina W.Y. Hui-Chan  and
Mindy F. Levin
Christina W.Y. Hui-Chan*
Affiliation:
School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal
Mindy F. Levin
Affiliation:
School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal
*
School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, 3654 Drummond Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G IY5
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Abstract:

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Low-intensity repetitive electrical stimulation such as dorsal column and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) reportedly decreases spasticity and improves voluntary motor control. However, the mechanisms mediating these effects are unclear. Recent findings suggest that spasticity may be characterized more appropriately by a decrease in the stretch reflex threshold than by an increase in gain. Our objectives were: (1) to examine possible changes in stretch reflex excitability following 45 min of TENS, (2) to map out the time course of possible post-stimulation effects via both latency and magnitude (amplitude or area) measurements, and (3) to determine the role of segmental versus non-segmental mechanisms involved in mediating these changes. The effects of 45 min of segmentally and heterosegmentally applied TENS on lower limb reflexes in ten spastic hemiparetic subjects were contrasted with those resulting from placebo stimulation. We found that both segmentally and heterosegmentally applied TENS caused an immediate increase in soleus H reflex latencies that was evident for up to 60 minutes post-stimulation in over 75% of the subjects. Similar increases for up to 60 and 40 minutes post-stimulation was noted for the stretch reflex latencies in 50% and 67% of the subjects respectively for segmental and heterosegmental stimulation. These results suggested that manipulation of segmental and heterosegmental afférents for 45 min may lead to a decrease of the otherwise augmented stretch reflex excitability accompanying hemiparetic spasticity.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , May 1993 , pp. 97 - 106
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1993

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