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Related Concept Videos

Alterations in Muscle Tone ll01:12

Alterations in Muscle Tone ll

Alterations in muscle tone are common manifestations of neurological disorders and reflect dysfunction within different nervous system regions. Spasticity, paratonia, and dystonia represent distinct forms of hypertonia, each with unique mechanisms, clinical features, and diagnostic importance.CharacteristicsSpasticity happens from upper motor neuron lesions and is characterized by velocity-dependent resistance to passive movement. Clinical features include:Exaggerated deep tendon reflexesClonus...
Muscle Stimulation Frequency01:22

Muscle Stimulation Frequency

The contraction strength of muscles is regulated by motor neurons, which modulate the frequency of action potentials dispatched to the motor units based on the body's requirements. This process of varying the muscle stimulation frequency allows muscles to contract with a force that is precisely tailored to the needs of the moment, whether lifting a feather or a heavy box.
Wave summation
At low firing rates, motor neurons induce individual twitch contractions in muscle fibers. These twitches...
Alterations in Muscle Tone lll01:11

Alterations in Muscle Tone lll

Rigidity and myotonia are distinct abnormalities of muscle tone that affect resistance and relaxation during movement. Although both involve altered muscle contraction, they arise from different neurological and muscular mechanisms.CharacteristicsRigidity is characterized by uniform resistance to passive movement across the entire range, independent of speed, affecting flexors and extensors equally. It may appear as lead-pipe rigidity (smooth, constant resistance) or cogwheel rigidity...
Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants01:28

Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Skeletal muscle relaxants are a group of drugs that can reduce muscle stiffness and induce temporary paralysis to relieve pain. These agents can act centrally to reduce muscle tone or spasms in painful conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or spinal injuries; they are called antispasmodics or spasmolytics.
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...
Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology01:14

Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology

Spinal cord injury progresses through two interconnected phases: primary injury and secondary injury.Primary InjuryPrimary injury happens at the moment of trauma and involves immediate mechanical damage to the spinal cord.Compression happens when broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or accumulating blood (such as a hematoma) press directly against the spinal cord, distorting its normal shape and function. In cases of contusion, the cord is bruised by a blunt force (like penetrating injuries or...
Spasmolytic Agents: Chemical Classification01:29

Spasmolytic Agents: Chemical Classification

Spasmolytic agents are drugs used to alleviate muscle spasms and spasticity. They can be categorized into different chemical groups based on their mechanisms of action. Centrally acting spasmolytics primarily affect the spinal cord, while others directly target skeletal muscle cells.
A major class of centrally acting spasmolytics is the α2-agonist, such as tizanidine. These drugs bind to α2-adrenoceptors, inhibiting the release of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. They also promote...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

A Simple Non-invasive Method for Temporary Knockdown of Upper Limb Proprioception
07:42

A Simple Non-invasive Method for Temporary Knockdown of Upper Limb Proprioception

Published on: March 3, 2018

Decrease of spasticity with muscle vibration in patients with spinal cord injury.

Narda Murillo1, Hatice Kumru, Joan Vidal-Samso

  • 1Institut Guttmann, Hospital de Neurorehabilitación, Institut Universitari adscript a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.

Clinical Neurophysiology : Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
|December 22, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Muscle vibration effectively reduced leg spasticity in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. This non-invasive approach improved clinical measures and neurophysiological markers, offering a potential physical therapy tool for movement facilitation.

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Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
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Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Published on: August 9, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

A Simple Non-invasive Method for Temporary Knockdown of Upper Limb Proprioception
07:42

A Simple Non-invasive Method for Temporary Knockdown of Upper Limb Proprioception

Published on: March 3, 2018

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
07:20

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Published on: August 9, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Spasticity, characterized by exaggerated reflexes, is a common and debilitating consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI).
  • The underlying pathophysiology involves hyperexcitability within the stretch reflex circuit, manifesting as clonus, spasms, and increased muscle tone.
  • Current management strategies for spasticity often involve pharmacological interventions or intensive physical therapy, with varying degrees of success.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the therapeutic effects of vibratory stimulation on the rectus femoris muscle on clinical and electrophysiological indicators of spasticity in individuals with SCI.
  • To assess the impact of vibration on spasticity measures such as clonus, muscle tone (Modified Ashworth Scale), and range of motion.
  • To evaluate the neurophysiological changes, specifically the soleus H-reflex (Hmax/Mmax ratio) and T-wave responses, following vibratory application.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 19 patients with SCI and spasticity, alongside 9 healthy controls, participated in the study.
  • Vibratory stimulation (50 Hz for 10 minutes) was applied to the thigh, with measurements taken at baseline and during stimulation.
  • Clinical assessments included the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), range of motion (ROM), and clonus quantification, while neurophysiological assessments involved soleus T-wave and Hmax/Mmax ratio evaluation.

Main Results:

  • Patients with incomplete SCI exhibited more pronounced clonus compared to those with complete SCI.
  • Baseline Hmax/Mmax ratios and T-wave amplitudes were significantly elevated in incomplete SCI patients versus complete SCI or healthy subjects.
  • Vibration therapy led to a significant reduction in MAS scores and clonus duration, alongside an increased ROM in the SCI patient group.
  • Both SCI patients and healthy controls demonstrated significant decreases in Hmax/Mmax ratio and T-wave amplitude during vibration.

Conclusions:

  • Prolonged vibratory stimulation applied to proximal lower extremity muscles effectively mitigates limb spasticity in spinal cord injury patients, irrespective of lesion completeness.
  • Muscle vibration presents a promising, non-invasive modality for physical therapy, potentially enhancing passive and active extremity movements in spastic SCI individuals.