For NMES addressing spasticity via reciprocal inhibition (antagonist), what is the goal?

For NMES addressing spasticity via reciprocal inhibition (antagonist), what is the goal?

• A. Contraction
• B. Inhibition
• C. Fatigue
• D. Synchronization

Answer: (B)

Reciprocal inhibition works by activating the antagonist muscle, which sends signals that inhibit the motor neurons of the opposing spastic muscle. When the antagonist is stimulated, Ia inhibitory interneurons in the spinal cord reduce the activity of the spastic (agonist) muscle, lowering its tone. So the goal of NMES in this approach is to achieve inhibition of the spastic muscle, making movement smoother and less resistant. Contraction of the spastic muscle would counter this goal, fatigue is not the therapeutic aim here, and synchronization doesn’t address the reduction of spasticity through neural inhibition.

Reciprocal inhibition works by activating the antagonist muscle, which sends signals that inhibit the motor neurons of the opposing spastic muscle. When the antagonist is stimulated, Ia inhibitory interneurons in the spinal cord reduce the activity of the spastic (agonist) muscle, lowering its tone. So the goal of NMES in this approach is to achieve inhibition of the spastic muscle, making movement smoother and less resistant. Contraction of the spastic muscle would counter this goal, fatigue is not the therapeutic aim here, and synchronization doesn’t address the reduction of spasticity through neural inhibition.