Holmes rebound phenomenon

The Holmes rebound phenomenon is a reflex that occurs when one attempts to move a limb against resistance that is suddenly removed.[1] When the resistance is removed, the limb will usually move a short distance in the original direction, at which point the antagonist muscles will contract, causing the muscle to yank back in the opposite direction.[2] The phenomenon will be present in limbs unaffected by disease or illness, and strongly exaggerated in limbs exhibiting signs of spasticity. A complete absence of the phenomenon (that is, a failure of the antagonist muscles to contract) may indicate the presence of cerebellar disease.[1] Therefore, an awareness of the phenomenon can assist in the diagnoses of both types of disorders.

The phenomenon was first described by Gordon Morgan Holmes and Thomas Grainger Stewart in a paper published in 1904, though it was not named until a 1917 paper published by Holmes.[3]

  1. ^ a b Angel, R. W. (1977-04-01). "The rebound phenomenon of Gordon Holmes". Archives of Neurology. 34 (4): 250. doi:10.1001/archneur.1977.00500160064012. ISSN 0003-9942. PMID 320970.
  2. ^ "Cerebellar Exam | Stanford Medicine 25 | Stanford Medicine". stanfordmedicine25.stanford.edu. Retrieved 2017-01-08.
  3. ^ Koehler, Peter J.; Bruyn, George W. (2000). Neurological Eponyms. New York, New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 177. ISBN 978-0195133660 – via Google Books.