A CODlparative Study on the Presence of the ASYDlDletrical Tonic Neck Reflex in Adult

In this study, the intensity of the asymmetrical tome neck reflex (ATNR) was measured in post-cerebrovascular accident (CVA) adults with hemiplegia and in neurologically intact adults to determine if the reflex exaggerated following CVA. Fourteen subjects with right and left hemiplegiC! were matched to neurologically intact subjects by age and sex and tested for the ATNR. Intensity of the reflex was measured using electromyography (EMG) biofeedback. The results indicate that no difference exists between the two groups in intensity of the reflex. The method of rotation used to elicit the reflex did significantly affect the strength of the muscle response. A possible explanation for observation of the reflex in the hemiplegic individual's movement and its significance in neuromuscular re-education programs is discussed. I t is known and accepted that a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) can disrupt normal sensorimotor integration within the nervous system, resulting in the widespread release of primitive postural reflexes, including the tonic neck reflexes (I, 2). However, the effect these reflexes have on the movement of the post-CV A patient and the potential for recovery of normal function is less clearly understood.