Akira Tanuma1,2, Toshiyuki Fujiwara3, Tomofumi Yamaguchi1, Takanori Ro4, Hirotaka Arano5, Shintaro Uehara6,7, Kaoru Honaga1, Masahiko Mukaino1, Akio Kimura1, Meigen Liu1. 1. a Department of Rehabilitation Medicine , Keio University School of Medicine , Tokyo , Japan. 2. b Division of Rehabilitation Medicine , Shizuoka Cancer Center , Shizuoka , Japan. 3. c Department of Rehabilitation Medicine , Tokai University School of Medicine , Isehara , Japan. 4. d Department of Rehabilitation , Asahikawa Medical University , Asahikawa , Japan. 5. e Seisen Orthopedic Clinic , Tokyo , Japan. 6. f Center for Information and Neural Networks, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology , Osaka , Japan. 7. g Japan Society for Promotion of Science , Tokyo , Japan.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the after-effects of pedaling on spinal excitability and spinal reciprocal inhibition in patients with post-stroke spastic hemiparesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty stroke patients with severe hemiparesis participated in this study and were instructed to perform 7 min of active pedaling and 7 min of passive pedaling with a recumbent ergometer at a comfortable speed. H reflexes and M waves of paretic soleus muscles were recorded at rest before, immediately after and 30 min after active and passive pedaling. The Hmax/Mmax ratio and H recruitment curve were measured. Reciprocal inhibition was assessed using the soleus H reflex conditioning test paradigm. RESULTS: The Hmax/Mmax ratio was significantly decreased after active and passive pedaling exercise. The decreased Hmax/Mmax ratio after active pedaling lasted at least for 30 min. The H recruitment curve and reciprocal inhibition did not change significantly after active or passive pedaling exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Pedaling exercise decreased spinal excitability in patients with severe hemiparesis. Pedaling may be effective in rehabilitation following stroke.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the after-effects of pedaling on spinal excitability and spinal reciprocal inhibition in patients with post-stroke spastic hemiparesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty strokepatients with severe hemiparesis participated in this study and were instructed to perform 7 min of active pedaling and 7 min of passive pedaling with a recumbent ergometer at a comfortable speed. H reflexes and M waves of paretic soleus muscles were recorded at rest before, immediately after and 30 min after active and passive pedaling. The Hmax/Mmax ratio and H recruitment curve were measured. Reciprocal inhibition was assessed using the soleus H reflex conditioning test paradigm. RESULTS: The Hmax/Mmax ratio was significantly decreased after active and passive pedaling exercise. The decreased Hmax/Mmax ratio after active pedaling lasted at least for 30 min. The H recruitment curve and reciprocal inhibition did not change significantly after active or passive pedaling exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Pedaling exercise decreased spinal excitability in patients with severe hemiparesis. Pedaling may be effective in rehabilitation following stroke.
Entities:
Keywords:
H reflex; ergometry; muscle spasticity; rehabilitation; stroke