Diagnostic value of extensor digitorum brevis F-wave in L5 root compression.

The sensibility of F-wave in detecting lumbosacral radicular compression has been found to range from 65% to 18%. The present study was performed on 24 patients suffering from unilateral L5 compressive radiculopathy. The aim was to verify the reliability of extensor digitorum brevis (EDB) F-wave in the diagnosis of L5 root impairment, by using different parameters such as minimal, mean, maximal latency and the difference of these parameters between the affected and unaffected sides.

Modulation of flexor carpi radialis H reflex by lateral tilts in man.

Static vestibular influences on upper limb flexor tone were studied in man by analyzing the changes in flexor carpi radialis H reflex area with lateral tilting of the longitudinal body axis. Ten healthy volunteers and 2 labyrinthine defective patients were tested in an experimental situation designed to minimize all afferent inputs except vestibular ones. Each subject was seated on a chair which could be tilted laterally to the left or the right from the vertical.

Tonic neck reflexes on upper limb flexor tone in man.

The asymmetric tonic neck reflexes on upper limbs in man have been studied by analyzing the changes in flexor carpi radialis H-reflex amplitude following body rotation around the longitudinal axis with a stationary head. In eight normal subjects 15 consecutive H-reflexes were recorded from the right flexor carpi radialis muscle at each test position. The tested body rotation angles were 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 degrees both to the right side and to the left side.

Influences of neck receptors on soleus motoneuron excitability in man.

We studied the influence of the asymmetric tonic neck reflexes on the excitability of the human soleus motoneuronal pool by mapping the H amplitude as a function of rotation of the body relative to the fixed head. Eight normal adult volunteers were tested. On each subject 15 consecutive H reflexes were recorded from the right soleus muscle, for each of the following test position, 4 degrees, 8 degrees, 12 degrees, 16 degrees, as well as at the control position (0 degrees), both before and after each change in body position.