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Motion Analysis of Normal Patellar Tendon Reflex

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 September 2014

Lai Kuan Tham ,
Noor Azuan Abu Osman ,
Wan Abu Bakar Wan Abas  and
Kheng Seang Lim
Lai Kuan Tham*
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Noor Azuan Abu Osman
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Wan Abu Bakar Wan Abas
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kheng Seang Lim
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
*
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Email: laikuan_tam@hotmail.com.
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Abstract

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Background:

Reflex assessment, an essential element in the investigation of the motor system, is currently assessed through qualitative description, which lacks of normal values in the healthy population. This study quantified the amplitude and latency of patellar tendon reflex in normal subjects using motion analysis to determine the factors affecting the reflex amplitude.

Methods:

100 healthy volunteers were recruited for patellar tendon reflex assessments which were recorded using a motion analysis system. Different levels of input strength were exerted during the experiments.

Results:

A linear relationship was found between reflex input and reflex amplitude (r = 0.50, P <0.001). The left knee was found to exhibit 26.3% higher reflex amplitude than the right (P <0.001). The Jendrassik manoeuvre significantly increased reflex amplitude by 34.3% (P = 0.001); the effect was especially prominent in subjects with weak reflex response. Reflex latency normality data were established, which showed a gradual reduction with increasing input strength.

Conclusion:

The quantitative normality data and findings showed that the present method has great potential to objectively quantify deep tendon reflexes.

Résumé

RÉSUMÉContexte:

L'évaluation des réflexes, un élément essentiel de l'examen du système moteur, est effectué actuellement par une description qualitative des réflexes pour laquelle il n'existe pas de valeurs normales dans la population en bonne santé. Cette étude a quantifié l'amplitude et la latence du réflexe rotulien chez des sujets normaux au moyen d'une analyse du mouvement pour déterminer les facteurs qui influencent l'amplitude du réflexe.

Méthode:

100 volontaires sains ont été recrutés afin de procéder à des évaluations du réflexe rotulien qui a été enregistré par un système d'analyse du mouvement. Différents niveaux de force de stimulation ont été exercés pendant les expériences.

Résultats:

Nous avons constaté qu'il existe une relation linéaire entre le stimulus et l'amplitude du réflexe (r = 0,50 ; p < 0,001). L'amplitude du réflexe du genou gauche était de 26,3% supérieure à celle du genou droit (p < 0,001). La manœuvre de Jandrassik augmentait significativement l'amplitude, soit de 34,3% (p = 0,001). Cet effet était particulièrement évident chez les sujets dont la réponse était faible. Nous avons recueilli des données sur le temps de latence normal qui diminuait graduellement à mesure que la force du stimulus augmentait.

Conclusion:

Ces données quantitatives sur le réflexe normal et ces constatations démontrent que la méthode que nous avons utilisée présente un excellent potentiel pour quantifier objectivement les réflexes ostéo-tendineux.

Type
Original Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 40 , Issue 6 , November 2013 , pp. 836 - 841
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2013

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