Reliability of distal sensory latency measures of the median nerve using an electroneurometer.

Measurements of distal sensory latency are often used to support the clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Currently, there is little research that documents the reliability of measuring distal sensory latency in adult populations. The purpose of this study was to determine intraexaminer and interexaminer reliability of antidromic distal sensory latency of the median nerve in normal subjects (n=37). Using a two factor design, three examiners obtained a total of six distal sensory latency measures using a supramaximal stimulus from each subject. Analysis consisted of intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for intraexaminer and interexaminer reliability, which were 0.89 and 0.83, respectively. The results indicate that this method of measuring median nerve sensory latency has a high degree of reliability and agreement within and between examiners.