Carroll CG, Landau ME, Rouhanian M, Campbell WW. Inter-rater reliability determination for two tests of ulnar nerve conduction across the elbow.
Muscle Nerve 2016;
55:664-668. [PMID:
27571443 DOI:
10.1002/mus.25390]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The inter-rater variability in determination of ulnar nerve conduction across the elbow compromises test accuracy. The extent of this variability is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine and compare inter-rater reliability of variables derived from 2 different ulnar nerve conduction studies (NCSs) across the elbow.
METHODS
Two investigators performed a standard ulnar NCS and a 6-cm conduction time (Six-Centimeter Conduction Time test, SCCT) on 60 extremities of asymptomatic subjects. In the standard test, below-elbow (BE) and above-elbow (AE) stimulation points were ≥ 10 cm apart, measured along a curved path, to calculate across-elbow NCV. In SCCT, BE and AE were precisely 6 cm apart measured linearly to calculate CTE (conduction time elbow). Inter-rater reliability was assessed by means of intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).
RESULTS
ICC for across-elbow NCV and CTE were 0.726 and 0.801, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Reliability of CTE and across-elbow NCV are similar. Shorter distances, if measured linearly, can be used to determine across-elbow ulnar nerve conduction. Muscle Nerve 55: 664-668, 2017.
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