A quantitative and convenient method of evaluating tendon reflex and spasticity

Tendon reflexes were evaluated for both normal subjects and spastic patients using a quantitative and portable setup. A force sensor was strapped onto the patellar (or Achilles) tendon to measure both the tendon tapping force and bounce-back force, and they were treated as the input and output of the tendon reflex system, respectively, and system approach was used to quantify the input and output simultaneously. The results show that the bounce-back force provides a measure similar to the joint reflex torque, and patients with spasticity showed stronger bounce-back force. Due to the simplicity and portability of the approach, it can potentially be used conveniently in clinical practice to evaluate tendon reflexes and spasticity quantitatively