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—rootmean- 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