[Quantitative measurement of the tendon reflexes. A study on Achilles tendon reflex (author's transl)]

Quantitative analyses of tendon reflexes were performed for the purpose of clinical application. Tendon tap was marked with a WNS-5D semiconductor load cell inserted in the hammer to measure tapping force. Achilles tendon reflex (ATR) was measured with a LAS-0.1 displacement transducer in kneeling position on the chair. In ATR, six factors, i.e. duration of reaction time, the height of the wave, the time from the hammer tap to the top of the wave, the maximum speed of contraction, the time from the hammer tap to the maximum speed and half relaxation time, were analyzed. Correlation between these six factors were discussed. From the analyses of these factors, half relaxation time may serve as the best indicator of clinical status among the factors obtained by analysis of ATR.