The intercept method: a novel method for establishing consistency of M-wave recruitment curves

The stability of the M-wave is an important component of experimental H-reflex methodology. Despite this importance, there is inconsistency in H-reflex literature on the most valid method of M-wave stability analysis. Further, there is currently no specific method for establishing the stability of an M-wave recruitment curve across various trials within an experiment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the most appropriate method of M-wave stability analysis for use with the recruitment curve methodology. Twenty-five healthy subjects participated in the study. Four M-wave recruitment curve recordings were made in various static positions that imposed stretch on the posterior structures of the back and leg. Four methods of post-data collection M-wave stability analysis were compared. Although on visual inspection, there was clear evidence of marked alterations to the M-wave recruitment curves between trials in some subject's data, analysis of variance of the Ms/p and Mmax found no significant difference. Evaluation of the percent deviation in Mmax found nine subjects with greater than ten percent deviation in their maximum M-wave across the four trials. The intercept method that utilises analysis of the 95% confidence interval of the intercept of the M-wave recruitment curve slope, excluded eight subjects that demonstrated variation. Comparison of the percent deviation and the intercept method revealed that the intercept method was the most appropriate method for M-wave stability analysis in conjunction with the recruitment curve methodology.