Aug 04, 2025
Clinical Blink Reflex
- Oumie Thorell1,
- Dorota Persson1
- 1Linkoping University
- PRECISION Human Pain Network
Protocol Citation: Oumie Thorell, Dorota Persson 2025. Clinical Blink Reflex. protocols.io https://dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.ewov1mpj7vr2/v1
License: This is an open access protocol distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited
Protocol status: Working
We use this protocol and it's working
Created: June 03, 2025
Last Modified: August 04, 2025
Protocol Integer ID: 219469
Keywords: Blink reflex, clinical blink reflex clinical protocol, blink reflex threshold, blink reflex, clinical technique, protocol, guidelines from linköping university hospital, guideline
Abstract
Clinical protocol to evoke the blink reflex. This protocol describes how to define blink reflex thresholds, following the clinical technique and guidelines from Linköping University Hospital.
Attachments
Materials
EDX Base Unit, Natus Neurology Incorporated, Middletown, USA.
Natus Elite - Synery. Version 22.4.1.123. 2020. Natus Medical Incorporated. Middletown,USA.
Neruoline Ground electrode. Ambu Sdn. Bhd. Penang, Malaysia
Neurology surface electrodes. AMBU neuroline 700, AMBU snd. Bhd. Penang, Malaysia
Disc electrode, GVB-geliMED, Germany.
Troubleshooting
Safety warnings
This protocol describes the use of electrical current applied to the skin of individuals. Approved equipment intended for electrical use on humans should be used in this protocol. The equipment should be handled by trained personnel only to ensure the safety of the individuals who are exposed to the electrical currents.
Ethics statement
The original ethics application with file number 2024-01267-01 was approved on 03/04/2024 by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority. The application for amendment was received by the Ethics Review Authority on July 8, 2024, and became valid on July 11, 2024.
Clinical Blink Reflex
Start Natus Elite - Synergy EMG software program.
Choose the protocol named "Blinkreflex". Choose "New nerve" and side (right or left eye).
The subject should be placed comfortable in a seated or supine position. Place the ground electrode in the middle of the forehead on the subject.
Place the anode on the orbicularis oculi muscle under the eye. Place the cathode on the orbicularis oculi muscle at the outer corner of the eye.
Place the stimulating electrode against the orbital nerve at the eyebrow.
To electrically stimulate, press the "Switch" button.
Start with a low stimulus intensity of 1mA and slowly increase in 1mA increments until a blink reflex can be visualized. Wait randomly for at least 20s in-between stimuli to evoke a surprising effect.
Repeat the stimulus at reflex intensity 3 times.
The stimulus intensity at which a reflex can be successfully evoked 3 times, is taken as the Nociceptive withdrawal reflex threshold.
Mark latency onset.