title: Normative median and ulnar nerve conduction values among a rural aged population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is commonly diagnosed with a combination of characteristic symptoms and nerve conduction studies (NCS) across the wrist. Normative NCS values exist, but there is minimal data among older individuals or among rural populations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate distal median and ulnar sensory, and median motor latencies across the wrist in an older, rural population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hand symptom questionnaires and three standard NCS were obtained from 1085 participants. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Normative NCS values are presented from participants (mean age 57 years) who reported either no CTS symptoms or possible CTS symptoms. Covariates associated with NCS included age, hand temperature, body mass index, and height.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This large normative NCS data set can be generalized to an older and rural population. Nerve conduction latencies were generally longer in this population than those reported in previous studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Eastern Washington University, Spokane, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Anton
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Fredric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gerr
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Merlino
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Rosecrance
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Rural; carpal tunnel syndrome; ergonomics; nerve conduction; normal data