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Somatosensory evoked potential changes during muscle testing.
G Leisman1, P Shambaugh, A H Ferentz
1Neuroscience Institute, New York Chiropractic College, Glen Head 11545.
The International Journal of Neuroscience
|March 1, 1989
Summary
Manual muscle testing revealed distinct neurological responses. Recordings showed increased amplitudes when testing weak muscles, suggesting a neurological basis for manual muscle testing assessments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Clinical assessment
Background:
- Manual muscle testing (MMT) is a common clinical assessment tool.
- The underlying neurological mechanisms of MMT are not fully understood.
- Previous research has not objectively measured neurological responses during MMT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurological correlates of manual muscle testing.
- To determine if MMT elicits measurable changes in neurophysiological signals.
- To explore the potential neurological basis for differentiating strong and weak muscles.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen healthy subjects underwent manual muscle testing to identify two strong and one weak muscle.
- Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) were recorded following median nerve stimulation.
- SEP recordings were compared during baseline, strong muscle testing, and weak muscle testing.
Main Results:
- SEP recordings during baseline and strong muscle testing were comparable.
- Testing of the identified weak muscle resulted in significantly increased SEP amplitudes.
- Increased amplitudes were observed in contralateral components of the SEP.
Conclusions:
- Manual muscle testing appears to have a neurological basis.
- Objective neurophysiological changes correlate with the perceived strength of a muscle during MMT.
- These findings support the validity of MMT as a clinical assessment tool.