Effects of 90 min of manual repetitive work on skin temperature and median and ulnar nerve conduction parameters: a pilot study in normal subjects.

To test whether the influence of manual activity should be considered when interpreting the results of nerve conduction study (NCS) of the upper limbs performed during work shifts, we evaluated the short-term effect of 90-min repetitive manual work on NCS parameters. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers underwent NCS of the dominant limb at the end of an interview (T(0)), after a 30-min rest in sitting position (T(1)) and after performing a standardized 90-min manual task (T(2)). The task was designed to simulate typical assembly and packing activities. No significant differences were observed for skin temperature (Ts) and NCS parameters between T(0) and T(1). Significantly (p < 0.001) higher Ts mean values were found at T(2) as compared to the previous tests for both females and males. The regression analysis showed an association between temperature variation and nerve conduction velocity values for the median and ulnar nerve at T(2) as compared to T(1). In females, a reduction of the mean sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude at T(2) was recorded, whereas an opposite trend was observed among males. Manual work is able to influence hand Ts and to modify NCS parameters. SNAP amplitudes changes suggest gender differences in peripheral nerve characteristics that deserve further investigation.

Surface electromyography features in manual workers affected by carpal tunnel syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Alterations in surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals of the abductor pollicis brevis muscle were evaluated in 24 non-manual workers and 40 manual workers (25 asymptomatic and 15 reporting CTS symptoms). METHODS: The initial value (IV) and the normalized rate of change (NRC) of average rectified value (ARV), mean frequency of the power spectrum (MNF), and muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) were calculated during contractions at 20% and 50% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Neuromuscular efficiency (NME) and kurtosis of the sEMG amplitude distribution were estimated. RESULTS: With respect to controls, manual workers showed higher NME, lower ARV IV, and reduced myoelectric manifestations of fatigue (lower MNF NRC for both contraction levels, and lower MFCV NRC at 50% MVC). Kurtosis at 20% MVC showed higher values in symptomatic manual workers than in the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Kurtosis seems to be a promising parameter for use in monitoring individuals who develop CTS.

Relationship between interpretation and accuracy of the upper limb neurodynamic test 1 in carpal tunnel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective diagnostic test study evaluated the relationship between interpretation criteria and accuracy of the Upper Limb Neurodynamic Test 1 (ULNT1) in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: A blind comparison with a reference criterion of typical clinical presentation and abnormal median nerve conduction was used. All subjects were first tested with nerve conduction studies and then with ULNT1. Each examiner was blinded to the results collected by the other examiners. RESULTS: We analyzed 47 subjects and 84 limbs. Considering ULNT1 as positive in the presence of reproduction of symptoms only in the thumb or lateral 2 fingers, we estimated sensitivity to be equal to 40% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.256-0.564), specificity 79.59% (95% CI, 0.664-0.885), positive predictive value 58.33% (95% CI, 0.388-0.755), negative predictive value 65% (95% CI, 0.524-0.758), positive likelihood ratio 1.96 (95% CI, 1.275-3.012), and negative likelihood ratio 0.7538 (95% CI, 0.490-1.159). Considering the increase of symptoms with contralateral or decrease of symptoms with ipsilateral cervical side bending as mandatory positivity criterion, specificity improved, but sensitivity decreased. CONCLUSION: Our investigation suggests that the reproduction of symptoms in the thumb or lateral 2 fingers of the affected arm during ULNT1 has weak diagnostic accuracy for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Upper Limb Neurodynamic Test 1 and symptoms reproduction in carpal tunnel syndrome. A validity study.

The aim of this study was to estimate the validity of the Upper Limb Neurodynamic Test 1 (ULNT1) for the diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) with blind comparison to a reference criterion of a compatible clinical presentation and abnormal nerve conduction. 47 subjects with suspected CTS were enrolled. All patients were tested with nerve conduction studies and ULNT1. Considering results as positive in the presence of reproduction of symptoms on affected upper limb, or side-to-side differences in elbow extension, or symptoms modified by lateral neck side-bending, we estimated sensitivity as 91.67%, specificity as 15%, positive likelihood ratio as 1.0784, negative likelihood ratio as 0.5556, and post-test probability for negative test as 40%. Using a new criterion, i.e. the reproduction of symptoms only in the first three digits of the affected hand, we estimated sensitivity as 54.17%, specificity as 70%, positive and negative likelihood ratios as 1.8056 and 0.6548, respectively, and post-test probability for positive test as 68%. Our investigation suggests that the reproduction of the typical current CTS symptoms in the affected hand during ULNT1 testing, improves estimation of the probability of the presence of this condition, even if this test alone cannot be used to diagnose CTS.