How to Assess Reflexes By George Newman, MD, PhD, Albert Einstein Medical Center Reviewed / Revised May 2020 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Topic Resources How to Test Reflexes (See also Introduction to the Neurologic Examination) Deep tendon reflexes Deep tendon (muscle stretch) reflex testing evaluates afferent nerves, synaptic connections within the spinal cord, motor nerves, and descending motor pathways.