Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Parallel Facilitatory Reflex Pathways From The Foot And Hip To Flexors And Extensors In The Injured Human Spinal Cord, Maria Knikou, Elizabeth Kay, Brian D. Schmit

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Spinal integration of sensory signals associated with hip position, muscle loading, and cutaneous sensation of the foot contributes to movement regulation. The exact interactive effects of these sensory signals under controlled dynamic conditions are unknown. The purpose of the present study was to establish the effects of combined plantar cutaneous afferent excitation and hip movement on the Hoffmann (H) and flexion reflexes in people with a spinal cord injury (SCI). The flexion and H-reflexes were elicited through stimulation of the right sural (at non-nociceptive levels) and posterior tibial nerves respectively. Reflex responses were recorded from the ipsilateral tibialis anterior (TA) …