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Updated: May 22, 2026
Isokinetic Robotic Device to Improve Test-Retest and Inter-Rater Reliability for Stretch Reflex Measurements in Stroke Patients with Spasticity
Published on: June 12, 2019
Reciprocal inhibition post-stroke is related to reflex excitability and movement ability
Neha Bhagchandani1, Sheila Schindler-Ivens
1Department of Physical Therapy, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881, USA.
Objective:
Decreased reciprocal inhibition (RI) of motor neurons may contribute to spasticity after stroke. However, decreased RI is not a uniform observation among stroke survivors, suggesting that this spinal circuit may be influenced by other stroke-related characteristics. The purpose of this study was to measure RI post-stroke and to examine the relationship between RI and other features of stroke.
Methods:
RI was examined in 15 stroke survivors (PAR) and 10 control subjects by quantifying the effect of peroneal nerve stimulation on soleus H-reflex amplitude. The relationship between RI and age, time post-stroke, lesion side, walking velocity, Fugl-Meyer, Ashworth, and Achilles reflex scores was examined.
Results:
RI was absent and replaced by reciprocal facilitation in 10 of 15 PAR individuals. Reciprocal facilitation was associated with low Fugl-Meyer scores and slow walking velocities but not with hyperactive Achilles tendon reflexes. There was no relationship between RI or reciprocal facilitation and time post-stroke, lesion side, or Ashworth score.
Conclusions:
Decreased RI is not a uniform finding post-stroke and is more closely related to walking ability and movement impairment than to spasticity.
Significance:
Phenomena other than decreased RI may contribute to post-stroke spasticity.
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