Conditioning of the spinal stretch reflex: implications for rehabilitation. 1990

S L Wolf, and R L Segal
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322.

The purpose of this article is to describe a new technique that can potentially be applied to patients with hyperactive spinal stretch reflexes (SSRs). The progression of clinical research from conditioning of individual muscles or muscle groups (electromyographic biofeedback) to conditioning SSRs is explained. Research data from subhuman primates in addition to the first human experiments are reviewed. Potential applications of SSR conditioning are discussed, as are the issues requiring further delineation and research before the specificity of a training effect can be ascertained.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D012026 Reflex, Stretch Reflex contraction of a muscle in response to stretching, which stimulates muscle proprioceptors. Reflex, Tendon,Stretch Reflex,Tendon Reflex
D012046 Rehabilitation Restoration of human functions to the maximum degree possible in a person or persons suffering from disease or injury. Habilitation
D002561 Cerebrovascular Disorders A spectrum of pathological conditions of impaired blood flow in the brain. They can involve vessels (ARTERIES or VEINS) in the CEREBRUM, the CEREBELLUM, and the BRAIN STEM. Major categories include INTRACRANIAL ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATIONS; BRAIN ISCHEMIA; CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE; and others. Brain Vascular Disorders,Intracranial Vascular Disorders,Vascular Diseases, Intracranial,Cerebrovascular Diseases,Cerebrovascular Insufficiency,Cerebrovascular Occlusion,Brain Vascular Disorder,Cerebrovascular Disease,Cerebrovascular Disorder,Cerebrovascular Insufficiencies,Cerebrovascular Occlusions,Disease, Cerebrovascular,Diseases, Cerebrovascular,Insufficiencies, Cerebrovascular,Insufficiency, Cerebrovascular,Intracranial Vascular Disease,Intracranial Vascular Diseases,Intracranial Vascular Disorder,Occlusion, Cerebrovascular,Occlusions, Cerebrovascular,Vascular Disease, Intracranial,Vascular Disorder, Brain,Vascular Disorder, Intracranial,Vascular Disorders, Brain,Vascular Disorders, Intracranial
D004576 Electromyography Recording of the changes in electric potential of muscle by means of surface or needle electrodes. Electromyogram,Surface Electromyography,Electromyograms,Electromyographies,Electromyographies, Surface,Electromyography, Surface,Surface Electromyographies
D005081 Exercise Therapy A regimen or plan of physical activities designed and prescribed for specific therapeutic goals. Its purpose is to restore normal musculoskeletal function or to reduce pain caused by diseases or injuries. Rehabilitation Exercise,Remedial Exercise,Therapy, Exercise,Exercise Therapies,Exercise, Rehabilitation,Exercise, Remedial,Exercises, Rehabilitation,Exercises, Remedial,Rehabilitation Exercises,Remedial Exercises,Therapies, Exercise
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001676 Biofeedback, Psychology The therapy technique of providing the status of one's own AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM function (e.g., skin temperature, heartbeats, brain waves) as visual or auditory feedback in order to self-control related conditions (e.g., hypertension, migraine headaches). Biofeedback (Psychology),Bogus Physiological Feedback,False Physiological Feedback,Feedback, Psychophysiologic,Biofeedback,Feedback, Psychophysiological,Myofeedback,Psychophysiologic Feedback,Biofeedbacks,Biofeedbacks (Psychology),Biofeedbacks, Psychology,Bogus Physiological Feedbacks,False Physiological Feedbacks,Feedback, Bogus Physiological,Feedback, False Physiological,Feedbacks, Bogus Physiological,Feedbacks, False Physiological,Myofeedbacks,Physiological Feedback, Bogus,Physiological Feedback, False,Physiological Feedbacks, Bogus,Physiological Feedbacks, False,Psychology Biofeedback,Psychology Biofeedbacks
D013131 Spine The spinal or vertebral column. Spinal Column,Vertebrae,Vertebral Column,Vertebra,Column, Spinal,Column, Vertebral,Columns, Spinal,Columns, Vertebral,Spinal Columns,Vertebral Columns

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