title: The relationship between temperature and neuronal characteristics.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine a relationship between surface temperature of the limb and neuronal characteristics of the median and ulnar nerves in non-impaired individuals. Previous literature demonstrates that there is a negative correlation between distal latency and amplitude and temperature while a positive correlation exists between nerve conduction velocity and temperature. It is a common clinical practice to externally manipulate the temperature of a cold limb. Thirty-six participants (21 male, 15 female,) with an age range between 20-38 years old (mean age = 26.6) completed the study. Temperature of the limb was not manipulated by the researchers prior to testing and was measured at the distal wrist crease using a surface probe. Relationship was determined using a Pearson product-moment coefficient of correlation. A significant negative correlation existed for median distal sensory latency (DSL), ulnar DSL, ulnar motor amplitude (CMAP), and ulnar sensory amplitude (SNAP). The investigators conclude that temperature is a factor to consider when performing nerve conduction studies. The researchers suggest using mathematical correction factors to compensate for a cool limb rather than external heating.
authors.affiliation: Lebanon Valley College, Physical Therapy Department, 101 N College Avenue, Annville, PA 17003-1400, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Agro
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lugo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gasiewska
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muniz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rothman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time; D012016:Reference Values; D012881:Skin Temperature; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D014953:Wrist / Q000294:innervation