A comparison of two sensitive sensory tests in carpal tunnel syndrome

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A controlled study comparing two sensitive sensory tests on patients referred for routine carpal tunnel syndrome investigation

• IRAS ID

  127827

• Contact name

  Sharon Boxall

• Contact email

  sharon.boxall@nhs.net

• Sponsor organisation

  Royal Surrey County Hospital

• Research summary

  The aims of this research are to compare two sensitive tests used in diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome; and to investigate whether there is a correlation between duration of symptoms and the ability of these tests to detect the syndrome.

  When diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve conduction studies are performed. More sensitive tests can be performed if routine carpal tunnel screen findings are unclear. Various methods can be used; therefore it is up to individual departments to choose the method they feel is best. By comparing the method used within this department with another widely used method, we can investigate whether one yields more positive results, therefore being a more reliable method to be used within neurophysiology.

  Nerve conduction studies will be performed on patients referred to neurophysiology at the Royal Surrey County Hospital with a provisional diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. Following departmental protocols, sensory and motor nerve conduction studies will be performed for the median and ulnar nerve. If the results of the routine median nerve sensory studies are normal, or if they are borderline for carpal tunnel syndrome, further sensitive tests will be performed to try to investigate whether these can detect carpal tunnel syndrome when routine screening may not. The results will be recorded in order to investigate any difference in the ability of these sensitive tests to establish carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients will be asked how long they have had their symptoms in order to investigate if the sensitive tests detect carpal tunnel syndrome early in the disease course.

  The duration for patients should only be an additional 5-10mins on top of their usual 45 minute appointment. The only visit required would be that of their usual appointment.
  Data gathering should finish by October/November 2013 and the final project will be finished in April 2014

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  13/YH/0189

• Date of REC Opinion

  5 Jun 2013

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion