A Study to Find Out the Effect of Circumferential Pressure on Flexor Carpi Radialis H-reflex in Post Stroke Patients-An Observational Study

Hyper tonicity is a common symptom observed following upper motor neuron syndrome. Flexor carpi radialis (FCR) muscle motoneuron reflex excitability can be assessed by evaluating changes in the Hoffman reflex (H-reflex). Increasedmotoneuron excitability has been postulated to be a contributing factor in causing spasticity (defined as a velocity-dependent increased resistance of the stretch reflex). An indirect measurement of muscle tone is the measurement of motoneuron reflex excitability. This study was conducted to observe the effect of circumferential pressure applied over the spastic flexor carpi radialis, it changes over H reflex amplitude was taken into consideration.

To find out the effect of circumferential pressure on flexor carpi radialis H-reflex in patients with post stroke.

10 participants were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. H-reflexes were recorded before pressure application to obtain a baseline value for comparison of data. Then the circumferential pressure was applied over FCR with use of sphygmomanometer for 1 minute and H-reflex was taken with applied pressure and then finally it was taken post pressure. A sphygmomanometer was inflated to 51–60 mmHg to provide the pressure around the forearm.

H-reflex amplitude.

A one-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was applied to compare pre pressure, during pressure and post pressure measurements against the baseline value. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 14; ANNOVA was used to analyze the data.

the result showed the F value is non-significant for the current data.

The study suggests circumferential pressure does not significantly decreases the H-reflex amplitude in participants with post stroke.