The Inhibition of Ipsilateral and Contralateral VFR by Topical Cooling and Acupuncture of the Palmar Vibratory Site on One Side / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

Topical cooling effects at the site of vibratory stimulation were studied using vibration-induced flexion reflex (VFR), which was induced simultaneously in both hands, as an indicator for assessment.<br>As a result, it was found that the inhibition of ipsilateral and contralateral VFR related to topical cooling of the palmar vibratory site on one side was caused by cooling within a limited area of the palm where the vibratory element contacted. Application of acupunctural electrical stimulation of disrupting nature in place of topical cooling to the vibratory stimulation site on one side also effectively inhibited VFR on both sides.<br>Although the skin temperature did not decrease on the side contralateral to the side that had been cooled, VFR was completely inhibited on both the cooled and uncooled sides.<br>These results suggest that the peripheral impulses which arise from cooling the vibratory site on one side act on spinal interneurons and alpha-motor neurons, which contribute bilaterally to the VFR expression, thus inducing a neurogenic inhibitory effect on VFR.