The Reduced Adaptability of H-Reflex Parameters to Postural Change With Deficiency of Foot Plantar Sensitivity

Mengzi Sun, Kelsey Lewis, Jung Hun Choi, Fangtong Zhang, Feng Qu, Li Li

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The project was to examine the influence of peripheral neuropathy (PN) severity on the relationship between Hoffmann-reflex (H-reflex) and postures. Methods: A total of 34 participants were recruited. H-reflex (H/M ratio and H-index) during prone, standing, and the heel-contact phase of walking was tested, along with foot sole sensitivity. Results: The participants were divided into three groups based on the severity of the foot sole sensitivity deficit: control, less (LA), and more (MA) affected with both feet 5.07 monofilament test scores ranging 10, 0–5, and 6–9, respectively. A significant group by the posture interaction was observed in the H/M ratio (F3.0, 41.9 = 2.904, p = 0.046, ηp2 = 0.172). In the control group, the H/M ratio of prone (22 ± 7%) was greater than that of the standing (13 ± 3%, p = 0.013) and heel-contact phase (10 ± 2%, p = 0.004). In the MA group, the H/M ratio of standing (13 ± 3%) was greater than that of the heel-contact phase (8 ± 2%, p = 0.011). The H-index was significantly different among groups (F2,28 = 5.711, p = 0.008, and ηp2 = 0.290). Post hoc analysis showed that the H-index of the control group (80.6 ± 11.3) was greater than that of the LA (69.8 ± 12.1, p = 0.021) and MA groups (62.0 ± 10.6, p = 0.003). Conclusion: In a non-PN population, the plantar sensory input plays an important role in maintaining standing postural control, while as for the PN population with foot sole sensitivity deficiency, type Ⅰ afferent fibers reflex loop (H-reflex) contributes more to the standing postural control. The H-index parameter is an excellent method to recognize the people with and without PN but not to distinguish the severity of PN with impaired foot sole sensitivity.

Original languageEnglish
Article number890414
JournalFrontiers in Physiology
Volume13
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 29 2022

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Physiology
  • Physiology (medical)

Keywords

  • H-reflex
  • heel-contact
  • peripheral neuropathy
  • prone
  • standing

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