Feasibility of the assessment of the H-reflex in adult dancers and non-dancers with and without Down Syndrome: a pilot study

Abstract

The analysis of monosynaptic Hoffman’s reflex (H-reflex) involves recording the response to electrical stimulation of Ia-afferent fibers from the muscle spindle. The H-reflex can be used as a probe to study spinal neuronal pathways and mechanisms at rest and during movement in humans. The purpose of this study was to analyze the feasibility of the assessment of the H-reflex in people with Down syndrome (DS), and to compare it between adult dancers and non-dancers with and without DS. Twenty-five participants were included and divided into four groups (6 nondancers and 6 dancers with DS and, 7 non-dancers and 6 dancers without DS). The H-reflex was recorded at the level of the soleus muscle in its central area. We analyzed the H response in three different conditions: decubitus prone, static standing position with open eyes and closed eyes. Non-dancers with DS showed a faster H-reflex latency than both groups without DS (all p < .005). In the present study, we provide evidence of the feasibility of eliciting the H-reflex in adults with DS. Interestingly, the H-reflex was present in decubitus position but not in standing position in most non-dancers with DS and dancers without DS. The data from this study can help to perform future research in adults with DS and the development of full-scale studies to analyze this variable in adults with intellectual disability with and without DS.