Neurosci Res. 1996 Dec; 26(4): 391-4.

Vibration-induced finger flexion reflex and inhibitory effect of acupuncture on this reflex in cervical spinal cord injury patients.

Takakura N, Iijima S, Kanamaru A, Shibuya M, Homma I, Ohashi M.

Hanada College, Japan School of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Physiotherapy, Tokyo, Japan.

The vibration-induced finger flexion reflex (VFR) and the inhibitory effect of acupuncture on this reflex were studied in five cervical spinal cord injury patients (C-SCIs). VFR, which is a tonic finger flexion reflex induced by vibratory stimulation on the finger tip, was induced before and after acupuncture was carried out on the same hand. A stainless steel needle was inserted to the Hoku point. As in healthy subjects, VFR was performed and it was significantly inhibited by acupuncture in the C-SCIs; mean maximum VFR was 204.2 +/- S.E. 68.6 g before and 119.8 +/- S.E. 42.2 g after acupuncture. The present results suggest that at least part of the reflex center for VFR is located in the spinal cord and that part of VFR inhibition by acupuncture may be mediated via the spinal cord.