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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

Isokinetic Robotic Device to Improve Test-Retest and Inter-Rater Reliability for Stretch Reflex Measurements in Stroke Patients with Spasticity

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

Position-dependent, hyperexcitable patellar reflex dynamics in chronic stroke.

Chung-Yong Yang¹, Xin Guo, Yupeng Ren

¹Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

|October 16, 2012

Summary

Stroke survivors exhibit heightened tendon tap responses (TTR), with specific neuromechanical measures peaking at 60-75° knee flexion. These TTR properties correlate with clinical assessments, indicating potential for improved stroke rehabilitation strategies.

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Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

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Last Updated: May 17, 2026

Isokinetic Robotic Device to Improve Test-Retest and Inter-Rater Reliability for Stretch Reflex Measurements in Stroke Patients with Spasticity

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

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control

Published on: September 11, 2019

Area of Science:

Neurology
Rehabilitation Medicine
Biomechanics

Background:

Stroke survivors often experience altered neuromuscular function, including changes in reflexes.
Tendon tap response (TTR) is a clinical measure of reflex excitability, but its quantitative neuromechanical properties in stroke are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantify TTR properties and their position dependence using multiple neuromechanical parameters.
To analyze correlations between neuromechanical and clinical measures in chronic hemiplegic stroke survivors.

Main Methods:

A case-control study involving 9 chronic hemiplegic stroke survivors and 13 healthy subjects.
An instrumented hammer induced the patellar deep tendon reflex (DTR), measuring electromyography and torque responses across various knee flexion angles (15°–90°).
Neuromechanical parameters (system gain, contraction/half-relaxation rates, reflex loop delay, peak torque/EMG, reflex threshold) and clinical scales (DTR, Modified Ashworth Scale) were assessed.

Main Results:

Stroke survivors showed generally higher system gain, contraction rate, half-relaxation rate, and peak reflex torque, with a significantly lower reflex threshold compared to controls (P<.05).
These parameters peaked at 60° and 75° of knee flexion.
Correlations between neuromechanical measures and clinical scales were strongest at 60°, 75°, and 90° of flexion (P<.05).

Conclusions:

Tendon tap responses in stroke survivors demonstrate hyperexcitability, quantifiable through specific neuromechanical measures.
These neuromechanical properties are most pronounced at mid-range knee flexion (60°-75°).
The findings suggest that TTR neuromechanical measures correlate with clinical assessments of spasticity and motor impairment in stroke.