AUTHOR=Zhang Fangtong , Sun Mengzi , Qu Feng , Lewis Kelsey , Choi Jung Hun , Song Qipeng , Li Li 

TITLE=The effect of loss of foot sole sensitivity on H-reflex of triceps surae muscles and functional gait

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2022.1036122

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2022.1036122

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> To investigate the effects of foot sole insensitivity on the outcomes of the triceps surae muscle H-reflex and functional gait.</p><p><bold>Material and Methods:</bold> People with peripheral neuropathy were recruited and divided into two groups: people with more (<italic>n</italic> = 13, 73.3 ± 4.3 years old) or less (<italic>n</italic> = 10, 73.5 ± 5.3) sensitive tactile sensation. Their monofilament testing scores were 9.0 ± 1.5 (range: 7–10) and 2.3 ± 2.4 (range: 0–6) out of 10, respectively. H-reflex of the triceps surae muscles during quiet standing and their relationship with functional gait, 6 min walking distance (6MWD), and timed-up-and-go duration (TUG), were compared between groups.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> No significant difference was detected for H-reflex parameters between the groups. The less sensitive group showed reduced (<italic>p</italic> &lt; .05) functional gait capacity compared to the other group, 38.4 ± 52.7 vs. 463.5 ± 47.6 m for 6MWD, and 9.0 ± 1.5 vs. 7.2 ± 1.1s for TUG, respectively. A significant correlation (<italic>p</italic> &lt; .05), worse functional gait related to greater H/M ratio, was observed in the less sensitive group, not the other group.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Although there was no significant H-reflex difference between the groups, more pronounced tactile sensation degeneration affected functional gaits and their relationship with H-reflex.</p>