Quantitative evaluation of hand motor function using a gyrosensor in mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome

Abstract

Introduction The objective of this study was to determine whether patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) manifest changes in early-stage motor function and to investigate the utility of a gyrosensor for quantitative evaluation of motor function. Methods Angular velocity signal was measured during finger tapping in 52 patients with mild-to-moderate CTS and 45 controls. Four finger-tapping performance (FTP) values-root-mean-squared (RMS) velocity, RMS angle, peak power, and total power-were derived from the signal. Results All FTP values were significantly lower in patients with CTS than in controls (P = 0.001 or P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the mild and moderate CTS subgroups. Discussion FTP measurement with a gyrosensor represents a valuable tool for the evaluation of median nerve motor function in patients with CTS. It facilitates the detection of subclinical motor dysfunction in patients with early stage CTS. Muscle Nerve 59:465-469, 2019