Abstract
During balancing on a seesaw normal individuals have a mean sway oscillation of 4.3 Hz, which is significantly lower (3.3 Hz) in patients with peroneal muscular atrophy. It is assumed that the oscillations in both cases are generated by spinal stretch reflexes and that the lower frequency in patients with peroneal muscular atrophy is due to their slower nerve conduction velocity. The balancing movements are altered when spinal stretch reflex activity is reduced by ischaemia but are normal in patients with a dorsal column lesion despite a similar sensory loss. The analysis of balancing movements can be a diagnostic tool in differentiating several sensory-motor disturbances.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Burke D., Eklund G. Muscle spindle activity in man during standing. Acta Physiol Scand. 1977 Jun;100(2):187–199. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-1716.1977.tb05936.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Dietz V. Analysis of the electrical muscle activity during maximal contraction and the influence of ischaemia. J Neurol Sci. 1978 Jul;37(3):187–197. doi: 10.1016/0022-510x(78)90202-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Gottlieb G. L., Agarwal G. C. Response to sudden torques about ankle in man: myotatic reflex. J Neurophysiol. 1979 Jan;42(1 Pt 1):91–106. doi: 10.1152/jn.1979.42.1.91. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- MAGLADERY J. W., McDOUGAL D. B., Jr, STOLL J. Electrophysiological studies of nerve and reflex activity in normal man. II. The effects of peripheral ischemia. Bull Johns Hopkins Hosp. 1950 May;86(5):291–312. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mauritz K. H., Dichgans J., Hufschmidt A. Quantitative analysis of stance in late cortical cerebellar atrophy of the anterior lobe and other forms of cerebellar ataxia. Brain. 1979 Sep;102(3):461–482. doi: 10.1093/brain/102.3.461. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mauritz K. H., Dietz V. Characteristics of postural instability induced by ischemic blocking of leg afferents. Exp Brain Res. 1980;38(1):117–119. doi: 10.1007/BF00237939. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- SCHENCK E., BAYER H. Die Wirkung künstlicher Zirkulationsunterbreechung in der Peripherie auf Eigenreflexe beim Menschen. Dtsch Z Nervenheilkd. 1951;165(1):90–108. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Stuart D. G., Mosher C. G., Gerlach R. L., Reinking R. M. Selective activation of Ia afferents by transient muscle stretch. Exp Brain Res. 1970 Jun 25;10(5):477–487. doi: 10.1007/BF00234264. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]