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Which parameter is more reliable in a cold hand, NCV or latency.
S M Jazayeri Shooshtari1, S Abolahrari, P Sedaghat
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Electromyography and Clinical Neurophysiology
|August 20, 2010
Summary
Cold exposure affects nerve function, but transcarpal median nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is least impacted. This suggests transcarpal median NCV may be more reliable than sensory and motor latencies in cold conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Temperature significantly influences nerve conduction properties, including sensory and motor latencies and nerve conduction velocity (NCV).
- Understanding how different nerve conduction parameters are affected by cold is crucial for accurate physiological assessments in varying environmental conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differential effects of cold exposure on distal sensory and motor latencies versus transcarpal median nerve conduction velocity (NCV).
- To identify which nerve conduction parameter is least affected by cold, thereby determining its potential reliability in cold environments.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-two healthy young adults (18-28 years) participated.
- Skin temperature at the wrist was monitored.
- Distal median motor and sensory latencies, along with transcarpal median NCV, were recorded before and after cold water immersion.
- Paired t-tests were used for statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- All measured nerve conduction parameters were affected by cold exposure.
- Transcarpal median NCV exhibited a less pronounced reduction compared to distal sensory and motor latencies.
- Cold immersion resulted in significant changes across all parameters, but the magnitude of change varied.
Conclusions:
- Transcarpal median nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is the least affected parameter by cold exposure among those studied.
- Transcarpal median NCV demonstrates greater reliability than distal sensory and motor latencies when assessing nerve function in cold conditions.
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