Effects of Local Hypothermia on Reflex and Voluntary Activity

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Abstract
The effect of local cooling on myotatic reflex and voluntary activity of the spastic triceps surae muscle was observed in four patients with hemiplegia and five patients with paraplegia. Responses to ramp stretch, tendon tap, and vibration were decreased; nerve conduction time and twitch duration were increased. Electrical activity during voluntary contraction was increased although relatively less tension was produced. Changes were primarily attributed to an effect on motor and sensory nerve conduction and on the afferent discharges from cutaneous receptors. Minimal alterations in muscle spindle activity were recognized as possible contributing factors.

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