Jendrassik maneuver

The Jendrassik maneuver is a medical maneuver wherein the patient clenches the teeth, flexes both sets of fingers into a hook-like form, and interlocks those sets of fingers together.

The elicited response is compared with the reflex result of the same action when the maneuver is not in use.

Often a larger reflex response will be observed when the patient is occupied with the maneuver: "A weak or apparently missing reflex could be triggered by afferent activity resulting from such muscle tension.

This is the true explanation for the maneuver, not a diversion of the patient’s attention – a misconception that can be heard even today.

"[1] This effect was first observed in the late 19th century by Hungarian physician Ernő Jendrassik, after whom it was named.