Jendrassik maneuver
The Jendrassik maneuver is a medical maneuver wherein the patient clenches the teeth, 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: "A weak or apparently missing reflex could be triggered by afferent activity resulting from such muscle tension. This is the true explanation for the maneuver, not a diversion of the patient’s attention – a misconception that can be heard even today."[1] This effect was first observed in the late 19th century by Hungarian physician Ernő Jendrassik, after whom it was named.
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This maneuver is particularly useful in that even if the patient is aware of the maneuver's purpose, it still functions properly.[2]
The maneuver can also be used to distract patients when performing other tests or procedures and any suitable distraction may be used; for example when looking for Romberg's sign.[3]
References
- Pásztor, E. (2004-03-01). "Erno Jendrassik (1858?1921)". Journal of Neurology. 251 (3): 366–367. doi:10.1007/s00415-004-0394-3. ISSN 0340-5354. PMID 15015025.
- Koehler, Peter J.; Bruyn, George W.; Pearce, John M. S. (2000). Neurological Eponyms. Oxford University Press. p. 146. ISBN 9780198030591. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
- 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. 28 (1): 87–93. doi:10.1097/01.mao.0000247821.98398.0d. PMID 17195749.
Further reading
- 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.