Effect of stimulator orientation on F-wave persistence
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Updated: Oct 28, 2026

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1Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32610-0236, USA.
Abstract:
Most electrodiagnosis texts advocate cathode distal stimulation (CDS) for nerve conduction, but suggest cathode proximal stimulation (CPS) for F waves, because of anodal block. We postulated that CDS and CPS elicit F waves of similar persistence. We studied 657 (207 median, 204 ulnar, 136 tibial, and 110 peroneal) nerves in 225 consecutive subjects. In the median nerve, CDS elicited F waves of slightly greater persistence than CPS. Stimulator orientation did not affect F-wave persistence in the remaining nerves.
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