Characteristic appearances of the H-reflex and F-wave of the soleus with increases in stimulus intensity in health subjects

Abstract

[Purpose] We examined the characteristic appearances of the H-reflex and F-wave of the soleus with increases in stimulus intensity in healthy subjects as a preliminary study to explore the clinical application of their appearances. [Subjects] The subjects were 10 healthy individuals. [Method] With subjects supine, the H-reflex and F-wave were recorded from the soleus with increases in stimulus intensity. Characteristic appearances were classified according to the method used in the study of Suzuki et al., which classified the appearances into four patterns in cases of CVD with upper extremity involvement. [Results] Characteristic appearances of the H-reflex and F-wave of the soleus were classified as type 3 for the 10 healthy subjects. [Conclusion] The findings for the healthy subjects reveal that the F-wave started appearing when the H-reflex appeared with high-intensity stimuli. In future, these findings can be used in an objective functional evaluation if combined with functional evaluation of movement during the assessment of neurological function in physiotherapy.