A study on the influence of contraction intensity and cutaneous vibration on the H-reflex of a hand muscle

• Grant number: 17/13064-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2017
• End date: September 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal Investigator: Leonardo Abdala Elias
• Grantee: Maria Fernanda Chaim Correia
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação (FEEC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The H (Hoffman) reflex is a noninvasive technique used to evaluate the synaptic organization of the spinal cord, as well as the excitability of the reflex arc. In this procedure, percutaneous electrical stimuli are applied to the peripheral nerve to evoke reflex responses that can be measured by the electromyogram of the target muscle. Different factors can modulate the H-reflex amplitude. For instance, contraction intensity can modify the reflex response during force control tasks. Besides, stimulation of cutaneous afferents can affect the magnitude of H-reflex. Nonetheless, new studies are necessary to elucidate how contraction intensity and high-frequency cutaneous vibration influence the excitability of spinal cord circuits controlling upper limb muscles. Therefore, the present project is aimed at investigating the effect of contraction intensity and cutaneous vibration on the excitability of spinal cord circuits of a hand muscle assessed by the H-reflex technique. (AU)