Abstract
A method for quantitative assessment for patellar tendon reflex was described. Considering kinematic features of the PTR, integrated portable equipment was developed utilizing a multi-axes inertial sensor, a tap force sensor, and an EMG sensor. Relationships between tap forces and kicking movements of lower leg were evaluated for identifying a nature of patellar tendon reflex, which was expressed by an exponential function and delay parameters. The results demonstrated that the method quantifies reflex intensities and latencies reasonably, which is not easily characterized by the conventional scale, and potentially useful for assessing PTR in daily practice with the effortless handy device.
