J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  1999 Apr;23(2):310-315.

Quantitative Analysis of Tendon Reflexes of Upper Extremities in Normal Volunteers

• Yoon TS
• Kim JA

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to establish the normal values of tendon reflexes (T-reflex) in upper extremities of normal Korean adults. METHOD: T-reflex responses were recorded in 30 normal volunteers by delivering tendon taps with a hand operated electric reflex hammer. From 5 repeated trials of each subject, the shortest onset latency and duration, the largest peak to peak amplitude of compound muscle action potentials were chosen for representative values.
RESULTS
1) There was no significance in the side-to-side differences for all values. 2) Mean values of latency were 13.8+/-1.1 msec in males, 12.4+/-0.9 msec in females for biceps T-reflex and 13.0+/-1.1 msec in males, 11.3+/-1.0 msec in females for triceps T-reflex and there were significant differences between males and females. 3) Height and upper arm length showed a significant positive correlation with biceps and triceps T-reflex latency (p<0.001).
CONCLUSION
We believe that our results can be used as a guideline researching the tendon reflexes in upper extremities.

Keyword

Tendon reflexes in upper extremities; Electric reflex hammer; Normal values

MeSH Terms

Action Potentials
Adult
Arm
Female
Hand
Healthy Volunteers*
Humans
Male
Reference Values
Reflex
Reflex, Stretch*
Tendons*
Upper Extremity*