Objective: To compare the degree of change of current perception threshold (CPT) results with the degree of nerve conduction study (NCS) change and evaluate the effectiveness of the CPT in following up patients who went through operation for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
Method: Twenty hands with CTS were examined with CPT and NCS, before, 2 weeks after and 2 months after operation. In the CPT, the threshold of the median nerve was measured, in the NCS, amplitude and latency of the median nerve was measured. Subjects were divided into 3 groups according to the severity by NCS results and into 2 groups according to the subjective perception of improvement.
Results: The subjects mean age was 51.4. Changes of NCS results in amplitude and latency showed no statistical relevance. CPT study result changes demonstrated to be statistically significant. Improvement of CPT results seen in the period of 2 weeks and 2 months and the initial first 2 weeks showed no difference. Change of CPT results showed correlation not in accordance with the severity of the NCS study, but with the symptomatic improvement of the patients.
Conclusion: CPT can be an effective tool in evaluating the improvement of symptoms and may be used as a follow up tool in patients with CTS. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2002; 26: 414-419)
Objective: We measured current perception threshold (CPT) with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to prove the selective increment of the threshold of C sensory fiber and to determine onset time and duration of effect for application of TENS.
Method: TENS were applied to fifteen control volunteers for 20 minutes on hand three times per week for 2 weeks duration. The CPT was tested at the distal interphalangeal joint of the second finger with 5 Hz, 250 Hz, and 2,000 Hz in frequency, respectively. The test was repeated immediately and 30 minutes after cessation of TENS. These tests were performed on the first, eighth, and fifteenth day on application of TENS.
Results: The baseline CPT of C fiber was 32.7⁑6.4 102 mA, Aδ fiber 23.2⁑9.4 102 mA, and Aβ fiber 83.9⁑18.1 102 mA. At 30 minutes after cessation of TENS in the fifteenth day, the CPT of C fiber increased markedly and that of Aδ fiber increased a little. The CPT of Aβ fiber didn't increase for 2 weeks.
Conclusion: With application of TENS, the threshold of C and Aδ fibers selectively increased, especially 30 minutes after removal of TENS application. This effect was outstanding after 2 weeks' application. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2002; 26: 161-166)
Objective: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of current perception threshold (CPT) test in diagnosing the diabetic neuropathy.
Method: We have recorded the neuropathic symptom score (NSS), CPT and the parameters of nerve conduction study (NCS) in 45 patients with diabetes. NSS was calculated according to the clinical symptom and signs, and the score more than 3 was regarded as abnormal (neuropathic). CPT was measured at the 2nd finger and 1st toe delivering the three different frequencies (2000, 250 and 5 Hz) of current and conventional NCS were performed at the median, peroneal motor and sural nerves. All the patients were assigned to three groups according to the result of NSS and NCS; group A, abnormal NSS and NCS; group B, abnormal NSS only; group C, normal NSS and NCS. CPT was compared between groups, and we investigated the correlation between CPT and NSS, and parameters of NCS. Also the sensitivity and specificity of CPT test were calculated.
Results: The mean CPT was significantly increased in the entire diabetic groups as compared with control group (p＜0.05). CPTs measured by 2000 Hz stimulation at the finger and toe were positively correlated with the most parameters of NCS (p＜0.05), and CPT was more highly correlated with NCS (p＜0.05) than NSS. The sensitivity and specificity of the CPT were 94.1% and 10.7%, respectively.
Conclusion: The CPT test may have added value in diagnosing the diabetic neuropathy as a screening.
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