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Psychomotor
and Sensory Tests for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Sponsor: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (R01 OH03300)
The specific aims as are:
- Determine if sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of the
Wisconsin CTS test battery is more favorable than a self-reported symptom
survey: This cross-sectional study involves a population of 250 workers
performing jobs associated with increased risk of developing distal upper
extremity musculoskeletal disorders. Every subject receives a symptom survey
and the Wisconsin Test battery. Medical examinations and electrodiagnostic
studies are performed on all 250 subjects as the gold standard. Sensitivity,
specificity, and predictive value for both instruments are compared.
Confounding effects of upper limb disorders other than CTS are studied.
- Investigate if intra-subject longitudinal changes in the Wisconsin CTS
test battery have more favorable sensitivity, specificity, and predictive
value than a self-reported symptom survey: This prospective study involves the
annual assessment of a group of 250 workers followed over the course of three
years. Medical examinations and electrodiagnostic studies will be performed
annually on all subjects as the gold standard. Changes in the baseline test
results are observed and sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value for
both instruments are compared.
- Study new test parameters related to the Wisconsin CTS test battery: This
study compares intra-subject differences in gap detection sensory thresholds
for the second versus the fifth fingers among CTS cases and non-CTS controls.
In addition, the test battery results for patients with distal upper extremity
disorders other than CTS (e.g. DeQuervain's tenosynovitis) are investigated.
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Occupational
Ergonomics and Biomechanics Laboratory
