Flexor Carpi Radialis H-reflex in Normal Subjects and Hemiplegic Patients

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2008;10(1):12-17.
Published online June 1, 2008.

Abstract

Objective: This study is designed to examine the difference in flexor carpi radialis (FCR) H-reflexbetween hemiplegic patients and normal subjects, and to investigate the relation-ship between parametersof FCR H-reflex and upper limb spasticity.Methods: H-reflex of FCR was performed to 47 normal person and 20 hemiplegic patients. Parametersused were onset latency, amplitude and Hmax/Mmax ratio. Effect by factors like age, sex, arm length andrelationship between Modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and parameters of H-reflex in spasticity of hemiplegicpatients was analyzed by SPSS 10.0Result: In normal subjects, amplitude correlated inversely with age (p<0.01), arm length correlateddirectly with onset latency (p<0.01). Amplitude and Hmax/Mmax ratio were increased significantly inhemiplegic patients than normal person (p<0.01), correlated directly with MAS at the wrist (p<0.01) .Conclusion: FCR H-reflex in normal subjects was influenced by arm length and age. Amplitude andHmax/Mmax ratio among parameters were significantly different in both groups and was significantlycorrelated with upper limb spasticity. From these findings, FCR H-reflex is considered to be usefuladjunctive study for evaluation of upper limb spasticity in hemiplegic patients.

Key Words: Flexor carpi radialis H-reflex, Hemiplegia, Upper limb spasticity