Jendrassik’s Maneuver
Jendrassik’s Maneuver
Jendrassik’s maneuver is used to enhance or bring out absent or depressed tendon (phasic stretch) reflexes by isometric contraction of distant muscle groups, e.g., clenching teeth, or making a fist, interlocking fingers and pulling the hands against one another. If previously absent reflexes are then elicited, this may be denoted +/−. Co-contraction increases the gain in the monosynaptic reflex arc, as distinct from facilitation or post-tetanic potentiation which is seen in Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome following tetanic contraction of muscles involved in the reflex.
References
Jendrassik E. Ueber allgemeine Localisation der Reflexe. DeutscheArchiv fur Klinische Medicin 1894; 52: 569-600
Delwaide P, Toulouse P. Facilitation of monosynaptic reflexes by voluntary contractions of muscle in remote parts of the body. Mechanisms involved in the Jendrassik maneuver. Brain 1981; 104: 701-709
Cross References
