Comparative Analysis of Sensory and Motor Diagnostic Tests for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Regional Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.67773/bios.v7i2.244Keywords:
Nerve Conduction Studies, Sensory Nerves, Motor Nerves, Median Nerve,, Occupational Neuropathy, Regional Diagnostics, carpel tunnel syndromAbstract
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy and a significant cause of occupational disability. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) are widely used for diagnosis, yet regional data from underserved populations remain limited. This was a cross-sectional observational study conducted at the Neuromuscular Physiology Unit, CMH Gilgit. Fifty clinically diagnosed female CTS patients underwent bilateral median and ulnar sensory and motor nerve conduction studies. Parameters evaluated included sensory latency, sensory amplitude, sensory conduction velocity, distal motor latency, proximal motor latency, motor amplitude, and motor conduction velocity. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Sensory studies demonstrated prolonged sensory latencies and reduced conduction velocities with increasing symptom severity. Motor studies showed prolonged distal and proximal motor latencies and reduced amplitudes in moderate-to-severe CTS. Greater neurophysiological impairment was observed in dominant hands compared with non-dominant hands. Motor parameters correlated more strongly with functional impairment than sensory parameters. Combined sensory and motor nerve conduction studies provide valuable information for CTS diagnosis and severity assessment. The findings highlight the importance of comprehensive electrodiagnostic evaluation and support the development of region-specific diagnostic reference values. Further studies with larger and more diverse populations are recommended.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Kawish Arif, Qurat ul ain, Mudassir Haider Rizvi, Arifa Savanur
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