Evoking the Withdrawal Reflex via Successive Needle-Pricking on the Plantar and Dorsal Aspect of the Foot Increases the FMA of the Lower Limb for Poststroke Patients in Brunnstrom Stage III: A Preliminary Study

Figure 2

(a) Repeated needle-pricking on the arch of the affected foot evokes the withdrawal reflex. (b) Repeated needle-pricking on the arch and restriction of the knee of the unaffected limb evokes the crossed-extension reflex of the affected limb. (c) Keeping both knees flexed and restricting movement of the ankles, repeated needle-pricking on the instep evokes hip lifting. The dotted line represents the direction of the evoked movement.

(a)

(b)

(c)