title: Surface electromyography features in manual workers affected by carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alterations in surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals of the abductor pollicis brevis muscle were evaluated in 24 non-manual workers and 40 manual workers (25 asymptomatic and 15 reporting CTS symptoms).
  
  
  METHODS
  The initial value (IV) and the normalized rate of change (NRC) of average rectified value (ARV), mean frequency of the power spectrum (MNF), and muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) were calculated during contractions at 20% and 50% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Neuromuscular efficiency (NME) and kurtosis of the sEMG amplitude distribution were estimated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With respect to controls, manual workers showed higher NME, lower ARV IV, and reduced myoelectric manifestations of fatigue (lower MNF NRC for both contraction levels, and lower MFCV NRC at 50% MVC). Kurtosis at 20% MVC showed higher values in symptomatic manual workers than in the other two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Kurtosis seems to be a promising parameter for use in monitoring individuals who develop CTS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Nephrology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. roberta.bonfiglioli@unibo.it
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bonfiglioli
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Botter
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calabrese
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mussoni
authors.forename: Francesco S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Violante
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Merletti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018763:Muscle Fatigue / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*