Abstract
Evanoff V Jr, Buschbacher RM. Optimal interelectrode distance in sensory and mixed
compound nerve action potentials: 3- versus 4-centimeter bar electrodes. Arch Phys
Med Rehabil 2004;85:405–8.
Objective
To evaluate the amplitude and latency for 3-cm versus 4-cm distance between the active
and reference electrodes (electrode separation) used to obtain normative sensory and
mixed compound nerve action potential data.
Design
Prospective, unblinded clinical test evaluating 3 nerves: mixed median and ulnar across
wrist (8cm), and radial antidromic sensory (10cm).
Setting
University and private practice electrodiagnostic laboratories.
Participants
One hundred six adult volunteers without known neuropathy.
Interventions
Not applicable.
Main outcome measures
Peak-to-peak amplitude and onset and peak latencies.
Results
Mean onset latencies ± standard deviation (SD) were equal for 3-cm and 4-cm separations
(median, 1.6±0.2ms; radial, 1.7±0.2ms; ulnar, 1.5±0.2ms). Mean peak latencies were
also equal for 3-cm and 4-cm separation for radial (2.2±0.2ms) and ulnar (1.9±0.2ms)
studies but differed for the median study (3cm, 2.0±0.3ms; 4cm, 2.1±0.3ms; P<.0001). Mean amplitudes ± SD with 3-cm and 4-cm separations were, respectively, 101±39μV
and 103±39μV (P=.0434) for the median, 47±17μV and 48±16μV (P=.0209) for the radial, and 52±28μV and 55±29μV (P=.0001) for the ulnar study. These differences were statistically significant but
clinically insignificant.
Conclusions
The results support a hypothesized difference in amplitude but not latency between
3- and 4-cm separation. Clinically, however, the magnitude was insignificant.
Keywords
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Article info
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Copyright
© 2003 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
