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Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
Published in: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research

Sensory nerve action potentials and sensory perception in women with arthritis of the hand

Authors: Kristina M Calder, Alison Martin, Jessica Lydiate, Joy C MacDermid, Victoria Galea, Norma J MacIntyre

Published in: Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

Arthritis of the hand can limit a person’s ability to perform daily activities. Whether or not sensory deficits contribute to the disability in this population remains unknown. The primary purpose of this study was to determine if women with osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of the hand have sensory impairments.

Methods

Sensory function in the dominant hand of women with hand OA or RA and healthy women was evaluated by measuring sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) from the median, ulnar and radial nerves, sensory mapping (SM), and vibratory and current perception thresholds (VPT and CPT, respectively) of the second and fifth digits.

Results

All SNAP amplitudes were significantly lower for the hand OA and hand RA groups compared with the healthy group (p < 0.05). No group differences were found for SNAP conduction velocities, SM, VPT, and CPT.

Discussion

We propose, based on these findings, that women with hand OA or RA may have axonal loss of sensory fibers in the median, ulnar and radial nerves. Less apparent were losses in conduction speed or sensory perception.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Sensory nerve action potentials and sensory perception in women with arthritis of the hand
Authors
Kristina M Calder
Alison Martin
Jessica Lydiate
Joy C MacDermid
Victoria Galea
Norma J MacIntyre
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1743-0003
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-0003-9-27

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