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Published on: February 19, 2019
Fibular motor nerve conduction studies and ankle sensorimotor capacities
James K Richardson1, Lara Allet, Hogene Kim
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, 325 East Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, USA. jkrich@umich.edu
Muscle & Nerve
|December 11, 2012
Summary
Nerve conduction studies, specifically fibular motor amplitude, strongly correlate with ankle sensorimotor function in older adults, suggesting their utility in assessing mobility and balance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Nerve conduction studies (NCS) assess peripheral nerve health.
- The link between NCS and sensorimotor capacities affecting mobility is not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between fibular motor nerve conduction studies and ankle sensorimotor function in older adults.
- To explore the potential of NCS in evaluating mobility.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of data from 41 older adults (25 with diabetic neuropathy, 16 controls).
- Measurements included fibular motor NCS, ankle proprioceptive thresholds, and ankle motor function.
- Analysis correlated fibular amplitude with sensorimotor measures, adjusting for body mass index.
Main Results:
- Fibular motor amplitude strongly correlated with ankle proprioceptive thresholds (R(2) = 0.591).
- Moderate correlations were found with ankle torque generation rates.
- Normalized fibular amplitude showed stronger associations with these sensorimotor capacities.
Conclusions:
- Fibular motor amplitude is significantly associated with ankle sensorimotor function crucial for balance and gait stability.
- NCS measures show promise for broader clinical application in assessing mobility in older populations.
