Between-day reliability of the trapezius muscle H-reflex and M-wave

Muscle Nerve. 2015 Dec;52(6):1066-71. doi: 10.1002/mus.24645. Epub 2015 Sep 7.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the between-day reliability of the trapezius muscle H-reflex and M-wave.

Methods: Sixteen healthy subjects were studied on 2 consecutive days. Trapezius muscle H-reflexes were evoked by electrical stimulation of the C3/4 cervical nerves; M-waves were evoked by electrical stimulation of the accessory nerve. Relative reliability was estimated by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC2,1 ). Absolute reliability was estimated by computing the standard error of measurement (SEM) and the smallest real difference (SRD). Bland-Altman plots were constructed to detect any systematic bias.

Results: Variables showed substantial to excellent relative reliability (ICC = 0.70-0.99). The relative SEM ranged from 1.4% to 34.8%; relative SRD ranged from 3.8% to 96.5%. No systematic bias was present in the data.

Conclusions: The amplitude and latency of the trapezius muscle H-reflex and M-wave in healthy young subjects can be measured reliably across days.

Keywords: H-reflex; human; monosynaptic reflex; reliability; trapezius.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Electromyography
  • Evoked Potentials, Motor / physiology*
  • Female
  • H-Reflex / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology*
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Superficial Back Muscles / physiology*
  • Young Adult