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 (T0), after a 30-min rest in sitting position (T1) and after performing a standardized 90-min manual task (T2). The task was designed to simulate typical assembly and packing activities. No significant differences were observed for skin temperature (Ts) and NCS parameters between T0 and T1. Significantly (p < 0.001) higher Ts mean values were found at T2 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 T2 as compared to T1. In females, a reduction of the mean sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude at T2 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.