Abstract
Two methods were used to measure muscle tone in patients with decerebrate rigidity. In the first method forces of square waveform were applied and the calculated compliance of the joint was used as an index of rigidity. Oscillatory transients were seen at the same frequency as the physiological tremor. The range of normal variation in compliance was large and the values measured in the patients flucuated markedly which limited the value of this index. In the second method, where forces of sinusoidal waveform were employed, the resonant frequency of the joint was measured and used as an index of rigidity. This index proved reliable and reproducible.
Full text
PDF











Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Berthoz A., Metral S. Behavior of a muscular group subjected to a sinusoidal and trapezoidal variation of force. J Appl Physiol. 1970 Sep;29(3):378–384. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1970.29.3.378. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Duggan T. C., McLellan D. L. Technical contribution. Measurement of muscle tone: a method suitable for clinical use. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1973 Dec;35(6):654–658. doi: 10.1016/0013-4694(73)90220-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Fox J. R., Randall J. E. Relationship between forearm tremor and the biceps electromyogram. J Appl Physiol. 1970 Jul;29(1):103–108. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1970.29.1.103. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Granit R. The functional role of the muscle spindles--facts and hypotheses. Brain. 1975 Dec;98(4):531–556. doi: 10.1093/brain/98.4.531. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Harris P., Walsh E. G. Simultaneous electrical and mechanical recording from postural muscles in a paraplegic patient. Paraplegia. 1972 Feb;9(4):229–230. doi: 10.1038/sc.1971.39. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- JANSEN J. K., RUDJORD T. ON THE SILENT PERIOD AND GOLGI TENDON ORGANS OF THE SOLEUS MUSCLE OF THE CAT. Acta Physiol Scand. 1964 Dec;62:364–379. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.1964.tb10435.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Jansen J. K., Rack P. M. The reflex response to sinusoidal stretching of soleus in the decerebrate cat. J Physiol. 1966 Mar;183(1):15–36. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1966.sp007849. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Joyce G. C., Rack P. M., Ross H. F. The forces generated at the human elbow joint in response to imposed sinusoidal movements of the forearm. J Physiol. 1974 Jul;240(2):351–374. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1974.sp010614. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Lippold O. C. Oscillation in the stretch reflex arc and the origin of the rhythmical, 8-12 C-S component of physiological tremor. J Physiol. 1970 Feb;206(2):359–382. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1970.sp009018. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Matthews P. B., Stein R. B. The sensitivity of muscle spindle afferents to small sinusoidal changes of length. J Physiol. 1969 Feb;200(3):723–743. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1969.sp008719. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mori S. Discharge patterns of soleus motor units with associated changes in force exerted by foot during quiet stance in man. J Neurophysiol. 1973 May;36(3):458–471. doi: 10.1152/jn.1973.36.3.458. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Nashold B. S., Jr An electronic method of measuring and recording resistance to passive muscle stretch. J Neurosurg. 1966 Jan;24(1 Suppl):310–314. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Poppele R. E., Terzuolo C. A. Myotatic reflex: its input-output relation. Science. 1968 Feb 16;159(3816):743–745. doi: 10.1126/science.159.3816.743. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- ROBERTS T. D. RHYTHMIC EXCITATION OF A STRETCH REFLEX, REVEALING (A) HYSTERESIS AND (B) A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RESPONSES TO PULLING AND TO STRETCHING. Q J Exp Physiol Cogn Med Sci. 1963 Oct;48:328–345. doi: 10.1113/expphysiol.1963.sp001676. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- WILKIE D. R. The relation between force and velocity in human muscle. J Physiol. 1949 Dec;110(3-4):249–280. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1949.sp004437. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Walsh E. G. Ankle clonus--an autonomous central pace-maker? J Physiol. 1971 Jan;212(2):38P–39P. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Walsh E. G. Motion at the wrist induced by rhythmic forces. J Physiol. 1973 Apr;230(1):44P–45P. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
