The influence of the reference electrode in recording F-waves.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate that many tibial F-waves can be recorded with the tendon electrode and to declare the importance of the "reference" electrode in F-wave recording.


METHODS
In eight lower extremities of four healthy subjects, tibial and fibular F-waves were recorded with the belly and tendon electrodes separately, using the opposite foot electrode as a reference site.


RESULTS
It was found that the mean tibial F-wave persistence proportions were 51.5% with the belly electrode and 86.7% with the tendon electrode. A greater number of tibial F-waves were recorded with the tendon electrode than the belly electrode, while few peroneal F-waves were recorded with the tendon electrode.


CONCLUSIONS
Many of the standard tibial F-waves were recorded with the tendon "reference" electrode.


CONCLUSIONS
This phenomenon might be a clue to the difference of the F-wave persistence between the tibial and the peroneal nerves.
Takahashi
N
N
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Higashisaitama National Hospital, Hasuda, Saitama, Japan. nobushige-t@umin.ac.jp
Otsuka
T
T
Okahashi
S
S
Takahashi
O
O
Takahashi
M
M
D000328:Adult; D004566:Electrodes; D004576:Electromyography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology*; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity