ABSTRACT
This paper deals with the recording of finger microtremor using a self-constructed apparatus (amplitudes 0.5 to 0.05 mm). 32 healthy subjects aged 7 to 60 years were examined by means of a test set permitting the exact recording of the amplitudes and frequencies of the right middle finger movement. Special attention was given to the vertical plane of the tremor in order to permit more exact demonstration. Frequencies of 5 to 12 cps. were recorded, the mean frequency being 7.55+/-1.12 cps. The minimum amplitude was 0.02 and the maximum recorded amplitude amounted to 1.4 mm, with a mean amplitude of 0.12+/- 0.07 mm. No significant differences in amplitude or frequency were noted with respect to age or sex. This method is useful in the accurate quantitative assessment of every kind of tremor.
Subject(s)
Fingers/physiology , Tremor , Action Potentials , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Humans , Middle Aged , Muscles/physiology , Pulse , Rest , TemperatureABSTRACT
A short historical outline of electric treatment of spasticity is given. A specially developed management with a "gait-stimulator" is described. Four muscles of each lower extremity being mainly engaged in walk were electrically stimulated in the physiological sequences according to the normal gait. The used electric impulses were of a duration of 0,25 msec and an intensity up to 700 V. Using such a "gain-stimulator" in spastic-paraparetic patients a reduced spasticity has been achieved. Positive effect of this treatment has been mostly pronounced, when the programming of impulses was adjusted to the end of the expected physiological contraction of the corresponding muscles. Physiological and pathological data of the "Silent period" is proposed to be mostly involved. The application of impulses in physiological sequences seems to reactivate normal reflex - mechanisms which are disturbed by supraspinal laesion. The results indicate that the electric impulses activates muscle-sensory - organs and that impulses on these organs produce a pace-making function on the spinal cord, which lessens spasticity.
