Muscle pressure effects on motoneuron excitability. A special communication.

The purpose of this communication is to report on the analysis of the effects of muscle pressure on altering motoneuron excitability. Motoneuron excitability was assessed by measuring changes in the H-reflex in 30 neurologically healthy individuals. The results indicate that muscle pressure is excitatory, but of such low intensity as to be of dubious therapeutic benefit. Methodological limitations specific to muscle pressure stimulation limit the interpretation of our results. These limitations are discussed, and a suggestion is made for an alternative approach to evaluate the effects of muscle pressure on motoneuron excitability.