title: Bicycle ergometer test to obtain adequate skin temperature when measuring nerve conduction velocity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To achieve optimal diagnostic accuracy, measurements of nerve conduction velocity require standardised tissue temperatures. To warm an extremity to a desired temperature that remains constant during the measurement may be difficult, especially in subjects with low finger temperatures. The aim of this study was to investigate if a submaximal bicycle ergometer test before the examination would be a useful method of obtaining high and stable finger temperatures during nerve conduction studies in the hand.
  
  
  METHODS
  114 women aged 25-65 (median 44) performed a bicycle ergometer test on an electrically braked bicycle ergometer (Siemens-Elema) before they underwent a nerve conduction test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Before cycling, the mean finger temperature was 28.1 degrees C (range 20.5-35.4 degrees C) and 15 min after the test 35.1 degrees C (range 30.3-36.9 degrees C). The levels remained almost constant throughout the nerve conduction examination, which had a duration of approximately 25 min.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A bicycle ergometer test proved to be a simple and effective method of raising hand temperature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Academy at Göteborg University, Sweden. helena.jacobson@ymk.gu.se
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sandén
authors.forename: Micael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Edblom
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hagberg
authors.forename: B Gunnar
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Wallin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology*