How to Measure Reflexes

Reflexes are the quick movements that your body makes in response to certain kinds of stimuli without your conscious direction. In a healthy person, reflexes should be quick and generally quite strong. If reflexes are not present or especially slow, doctors may need to see if a deeper cause exists for the lack of reflex action.

Instructions

• 1

  Watch the eyes of your subject. Note how large the pupils in her eyes are when the lights are on. Dim the lights and let her eyes adjust. Observe her eyes as you turn on the lights. A normal reflex occurs when the pupils shrink back down after the lights come back on.

• 2

  Strike the subject lightly with a reflex mallet just below the kneecap. A normal reflex will be demonstrated by an involuntary jerk or kick in the lower leg. This might be a large or small movement. No movement in the leg could be indicative of striking the wrong point with the mallet rather than a lack of reflex. Be sure to test several times to see if a reflex is present if you have trouble detecting one.

• 3

  Bend the arm of the subject at a right angle with your thumb pushed into the center of the arm joint on the opposite side of the elbow. Your thumb should press on the biceps tendon. Hit your thumb with the reflex hammer until you see a reflex action.

• 4

  Stroke the bottom of the foot of the subject. Watch for a reaction in the big toe to ensure the reflex is operating properly. Try to distract the subject if she appears especially ticklish.