Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2698573 | Journal of Hand Therapy | 2006 | 8 Pages |
PurposeTo determine whether current perception threshold (CPT) varied between subjects with and without carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and whether positioning in wrist extension (reversed Phalen's test) was provocative.MethodSubjects (n = 30) were tested using the Neurometer (Neutron, Inc., Baltimore, MD) at 5, 250, and 2,000 Hz in a rest and reverse Phalen's position. Group and positional differences were analyzed using analysis of variance.ResultsHigher CPT occurred at 2,000 Hz in both rest (p = 0.02) and reverse Phalen's position (p = 0.01) in CTS subjects. There was also a significant change in CPT in the CTS group following wrist extension, particularly at 2,000 Hz (p < 0.05).ConclusionA positional effect on sensibility was noted at 2,000 Hz in subjects with CTS. Further evaluation is required to determine the role and optimal test protocols for provocative-sensory testing in diagnosis and outcome assessment of CTS. For CPT these should focus on using the 2,000 Hz frequency.