Abstract

PEREZ PARRA, Julio Ernesto  and  HENAO LEMA, Claudia Patricia. Effect of joint mobilization on the H Reflex amplitude in people with spasticity. Rev. Cienc. Salud [online]. 2011, vol.9, n.2, pp.125-140. ISSN 1692-7273.

Objective: To determine the effect of ankle joint mobilization on the H reflex amplitude of the soleus muscle in people with spasticity. Materials and methods: A quasi-experimental study with crossover design and simple masking was conducted in 24 randomized subjects to initiate the control or experimental group. Traction and rhythmic oscillation were applied for five minutes to the ankle joint. H wave amplitude changes of Hoffmann reflex (electrical equivalent of the monosynaptic spinal reflex) was assessed, stimulating the tibial nerve at the level of the popliteal fossa and recording in the soleus muscle. In each subject 12 measurements were taken: basal rate, during and after mobilization. Changes in H reflex amplitude were calculated in relation to basal measurement. For each measurement a hypothesis test was performed (Student t test). Results: In groups of patients with brain injury and incomplete spinal cord injury, a significant difference was found between measurements of both studies, concerning variation in H reflex amplitude during the application of joint mobilization techniques, with a decrease in the experimental group and an increase in the control group. In contrast, no significant differences were found after mobilization therapy. Patients with complete spinal cord injury showed no significant differences in any measurements. Conclusion: We demonstrate the effectiveness of joint mobilization in the decrease of H reflex amplitude in patients with brain injury or incomplete spinal cord injury during the mobilization maneuver, but no residual effect after completion of the trial. This research showed no evidence regarding excitability reduction in complete spinal cord injury. We suggest that therapeutic interventions to decrease muscle tone based on the joint mobilization should be reconsidered.

Keywords : Musculoskeletal manipulations; exercise movement techniques; muscle tone; muscle spasticity.

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