Changes of reflex size in upper limbs using wrist splint in hemiplegic patients

We evaluated the effect of prolonged wrist extension on H reflex in the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) muscle and tendon jerk (T) reflex in the biceps brachii (BB) muscle of 17 chronic hemiplegic patients. H reflex of the FCR and T reflex of the BB were assessed every 5 minutes within 20 minutes during prolonged wrist extension and post-20 minutes after the extension. As a result, H reflex in the FCR was reduced by passive wrist stretch in 82% of the spastic limbs. The effect was larger in the higher spastic group. In 45% of the spastic limbs, T reflex in the BB also was reduced by passive wrist stretch. The inhibitory effects had a tendency to strengthen in accordance with the grade of muscle tone. We considered from these results, prolonged wrist extension generated inhibitory projections via probably group II afferents of the FCR in the homonym and in the transjoint in spastic limbs.