Effect of acute leg cycling on the soleus H-reflex and modified Ashworth scale scores in individuals with multiple sclerosis

Neurosci Lett. 2006 Oct 9;406(3):289-92. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2006.07.061. Epub 2006 Aug 17.

Abstract

This study examined the effect of a single bout of unloaded leg cycling on the soleus H-reflex and modified Ashworth scale (MAS) in 27 individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) who had spasticity of the leg muscles, but were not currently taking anti-spastic medications. The soleus H-reflex and MAS data were collected before and 10, 30, and 60 min after 20 min of unloaded leg cycling and a control condition. The acute bout of unloaded leg cycling resulted in concomitant and prolonged reductions in the soleus H-reflex and MAS scores compared with the control condition. This provides converging evidence for the anti-spastic potential of acute unloaded leg cycling in individuals with MS.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Electromyography / methods
  • Exercise Test / methods*
  • Female
  • H-Reflex / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Leg / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Time Factors