The Effect of Provocative Tests on Electrodiognosis of Clinical Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

ABSTRACT: Introduction & Objective: Nerve conduction study is the most sensitive test for diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This test is normal in some patients with mild CTS. Median nerve conduction study evaluation after a provocative test (e.g. wrist flexion) may be helpful for diagnosis of mild CTS. This study aimed to determine the effect of wrist flexion on median nerve conduction in patients suspected to CTS and in healthy subjects. Materials & Methods: In this case-controlled study, 20 patients (20 hands) with clinical signs of CTS and normal routine electrodiagnosis test results and 20 healthy subjects were investigated. Measured parameters included: median nerve distal sensory latency (DSL), nerve conduction velocity (NCV), compound nerve action potential (CNAP), distal motor latency (DML) and compound muscle action potential amplitude (CMAP AMP). The above noted parameters were measured before and after 5 minutes of full wrist flexion. Data were collected by filling out a questionnaire and were analyzed using Paired T-test. Results: Distal Sensory Latency increment and NCV decrement after 5 minutes wrist flexion in the patients group were statistically significant (p