Abstract
Experiments were performed on twenty-two neurologically normal subjects in order to investigate the effects of skin brushing on H reflex excitability in triceps surae. H reflex amplitude was observed to decrease during brushing of a 2 cm x 10 cm area of skin overlying triceps surae, returning to control levels when brushing ceased. Alterations in the duration of the brushing period did not affect the magnitude of the H reflex inhibition, although increased frequency of brush strokes per minute slightly increased the amount of inhibition observed. Brushing of smaller skin areas overlying the muscle only sometimes resulted in H reflex inhibition. Brushing over other skin areas of the lower limb produced only slight effects on triceps surae H reflex amplitude. Removal of cutaneous input from the skin overlying triceps surae abolished any effects of brushing in this area on H reflex amplitude. These results demonstrate an inhibitory effect of brushing on H reflex excitability in normal subjects. If such results are confirmed in subjects with neurological deficit, they could have implications for the use of brushing in clinical practice.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 175-183 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Experimental Physiology |
Volume | 83 |
Issue number | 2 |
Early online date | 1 Mar 1998 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 1998 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Physiology (medical)