A pilot study into transpalmar nerve conduction studies v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot study into transpalmar nerve conduction studies in patients with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome, and normal median nerve conduction velocities
IRAS ID
143395
Contact name
Gillian Conde
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Wolverhampton
Research summary
The study is being undertaken in order to attempt to assess the effectiveness of current guidelines relating to the diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome across the Royal Wolverhampton Hospital NHS trust. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most common entrapment neuropathies seen in the UK. It is caused by the entrapment of the median nerve in the wrist, in an area known as the carpal tunnel, which is formed by the carpal bones in the wrist. Initially the condition causes numbness, pins and needles and mild pain in the hands, particularly the fingers; however this can progress and cause muscle wasting which leads to the loss of power and grip in the hand and more severe pain. If diagnosed early, the condition can be treated either with steroid injections, or a small operation to release the nerve to restore it's function. If left untreated or diagnosed late, permanent damage can be caused to the nerve and patients may never have relief from their symptoms. The diagnosis of the condition is achieved by nerve conduction studies, performed by Clinical Physiologists. Nerve conduction studies are tests used for the electrical assessment of nerve function in the body. This study will focus on the transpalmar test - a specific test in nerve conduction studies used to confirm the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome in cases where routine nerve testing results are inconclusive or close to the normal/abnormal borderline.
The application of specific nerve conduction studies such as the transpalmar test is based upon the findings in routine nerve conduction studies. This study aims to assess whether current guidelines for the application of transpalmar testing is appropriate, or whether transpalmar testing should be used across a wider range of patients, particularly those who's routine results are close to being positive for the condition.REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
14/WA/1064
Date of REC Opinion
6 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion