Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
Screening of Axonal Degeneration in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using Ultrasonography and Nerve Conduction Studies
Published on: January 11, 2019
Surface electromyography features in manual workers affected by carpal tunnel syndrome
Roberta Bonfiglioli1, Alberto Botter, Monica Calabrese
1Department of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Nephrology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. roberta.bonfiglioli@unibo.it
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.
