Jendrassik maneuver

The Jendrassik maneuver is a medical maneuver wherein the patient flexes both sets of fingers into a hook-like form and interlocks those sets of fingers together. The tendon below the patient's knee is then hit with a reflex hammer to elicit the patellar reflex. The elicited response is compared with the reflex result of the same action when the maneuver is not in use. Often a larger reflex response will be observed when the patient is occupied with the maneuver, as the maneuver may prevent the patient from consciously inhibiting or influencing his or her response to the hammer. This effect was first observed in the late 19th century by Hungarian physician Erno Jendrassik, whom it was named after.

This maneuver is particularly useful in that even if the patient is aware that the interlocking of fingers is just a distraction in order to elicit a larger reflex response, it still functions properly.

The maneuver can also be used to distract patients when performing other tests or procedures, for example when looking for Romberg's sign, and any suitable distraction may be used.^[1]

References

1. ^ Vereeck L, Truijen S, Wuyts FL, Van de Heyning PH (January 2007). "The dizziness handicap inventory and its relationship with functional balance performance". Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology 28 (1): 87–93. doi:10.1097/01.mao.0000247821.98398.0d. PMID 17195749. http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?doi=10.1097/01.mao.0000247821.98398.0d. 

• Niechwiej-Szwedo E, González E, Bega S, Verrier M, Wong A, Steinbach M (2006). "Proprioceptive role for palisade endings in extraocular muscles: evidence from the Jendrassik Maneuver". Vision Res 46 (14): 2268–79. doi:10.1016/j.visres.2005.12.006. PMID 16445961. 
• Tsuruike M, Koceja D, Yabe K, Shima N (2003). "Age comparison of H-reflex modulation with the Jendrássik maneuver and postural complexity". Clin Neurophysiol 114 (5): 945–53. doi:10.1016/S1388-2457(03)00039-7. PMID 12738442. 
• Zehr E, Stein R (1999). "Interaction of the Jendrássik maneuver with segmental presynaptic inhibition". Exp Brain Res 124 (4): 474–80. doi:10.1007/s002210050643. PMID 10090659. 
• Pásztor, E (2004). "Ernő Jendrassik (1858–1921)". Journal of Neurology 251 (3): 366–367. doi:10.1007/s00415-004-0394-3. PMID 15015025. 

External links

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