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Related Experiment Videos

Deep tendon reflexes: a study of quantitative methods.

Garrett L Marshall1, James W Little

  • 1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine
|July 26, 2002
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Clinicians can now quantify deep tendon reflex (DTR) testing forces. This study establishes objective force ranges for hyper-, normo-, and hyporeflexia, improving nervous system assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Clinical Assessment

Background:

  • Deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) are crucial for evaluating nervous system integrity.
  • Current DTR assessment is subjective, relying on qualitative grading with limited inter-rater reliability.
  • Objective quantification of DTR elicitation and response is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the forces clinicians apply during tendon taps for DTR elicitation.
  • To measure and compare the reflex responses to these taps.
  • To establish objective parameters for DTR assessment.

Main Methods:

  • Two clinicians applied tendon taps using three different hammers (Babinski, Queen Square, Taylor) to a force transducer.
  • Tendon tap forces were applied to elicit hypo-, normo-, and hyperreflexic responses.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Patellar DTRs were measured using an electrogoniometer in hyper- and normoreflexic individuals.

    • Main Results:

    • Median peak tap forces were 12.8 Nt (hyperreflexia), 38.0 Nt (normoreflexia), and 85.2 Nt (hyporeflexia).
    • Peak tap force was consistent across hammers in hyper- and normoreflexic ranges.
    • Briskness (knee excursion/peak tap force) distinguished hyper- from normoreflexia.

    Conclusions:

    • Objective force ranges for DTRs are proposed: 0-20 Nt (hyperreflexia), 21-50 Nt (normoreflexia), and >50 Nt (hyporeflexia).
    • The Taylor hammer showed a ceiling effect in the hyporeflexic range.
    • A systematic, quantitative method for DTR testing is proposed.