A research study of nerve pathology in CTS v.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A comparative study of the clinical and neurophysiological assessment of severity of nerve pathology in patients suspected of having carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
IRAS ID
126676
Contact name
Andrew Michell
Contact email
Research summary
The research study will be looking at the damage sustained to the median nerve at the wrist in patients suffering from suspected or known carpal tunnel syndrome, where the nerve becomes trapped beneath fibrous tissue at the wrist. The patients involved in the study will be asked to complete a questionnaire which will help define and detail the symptoms and pain levels experienced. A clinical examination will be performed to assess the degree of muscle wasting in the hands, and in particular the thumb. A clinical test of power of the thumb will be performed, with the recognised MRC 1-5 scale used to grade the strength. A further test of power will be performed where the patient will be asked to use the thumb to pull on a myometer, a device that will measure muscle power in Newtons (N). A standardised neurophysiological investigation will be performed whereby a small electrical stimulus will be applied to various sites on the upper limbs with the potential then recorded at a site either at the wrist or on the hand. The patient will also have the hand photographed in order to help quantify the severity of the injury. Signed consent will be taken for any photography.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/EE/0299
Date of REC Opinion
4 Nov 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion