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Soleus H‐reflex operant conditioning changes the H‐reflex recruitment curve
Author(s) -
Thompson Aiko K.,
Yang Chen Xiang,
Wolpaw Jonathan R.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.23620
Subject(s) - conditioning , reflex , h reflex , operant conditioning , stimulus (psychology) , psychology , neuroscience , medicine , anesthesia , reinforcement , mathematics , social psychology , statistics , psychotherapist
: Operant conditioning can gradually change the human soleus H‐reflex. The protocol conditions the reflex near M‐wave threshold. In this study we examine its impact on the reflexes at other stimulus strengths. Methods : H‐reflex recruitment curves were obtained before and after a 24‐session exposure to an up‐conditioning (HRup) or a down‐conditioning (HRdown) protocol and were compared. Results : In both HRup and HRdown subjects, conditioning affected the entire H‐reflex recruitment curve. In 5 of 6 HRup and 3 of 6 HRdown subjects, conditioning elevated (HRup) or depressed (HRdown), respectively, the entire curve. In the other HRup subject or the other 3 HRdown subjects, the curve was shifted to the left or to the right, respectively. Conclusions : H‐reflex conditioning does not simply change the H‐reflex to a stimulus of particular strength; it also changes the H‐reflexes to stimuli of different strengths. Thus, it is likely to affect many actions in which this pathway participates. Muscle Nerve 47: [?show $1534v]–[?show $1535v], 2013