Factors influencing aversion to specific electrodiagnostic studies

Nivedita U Jerath; Scott B Strader; Chandan G Reddy; Andrea Swenson; Jun Kimura; Edward Aul

doi:10.1002/brb3.240

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Factors influencing aversion to specific electrodiagnostic studies

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Factors influencing aversion to specific electrodiagnostic studies

Nivedita U Jerath, Scott B Strader, Chandan G Reddy, Andrea Swenson, Jun Kimura and Edward Aul

Brain and behavior, Vol.4(5), pp.698-702

09/2014

DOI: 10.1002/brb3.240

PMCID: PMC4188363

PMID: 25328846

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Abstract

To compare the degree of discomfort caused by nerve conduction studies (NCS) versus needle electromyography (EMG), and to determine what factors predict aversion to one test or the other. Two hundred patients underwent both EMG and NCS, and were asked to indicate which test was more uncomfortable. Responses were then correlated with demographic information, testing characteristics, and medical histories to identify any notable associations. Of the 200 patients, 58.5% (117) of the patients found the NCS more uncomfortable than EMG. Sixty-one percent (11/18) of the younger patients (18-29 years old) found EMG more uncomfortable (P = 0.08), whereas 68% (40/59) of the older patients (age greater than 60 years old) found NCS more uncomfortable (P = 0.05). Sixty-seven percent (14/21) of the patients whose BMI was less than 22 kg/m(2) rated EMG as more uncomfortable (P = 0.01). Sixty-nine percent (27/39) of the patients whose BMI was greater than or equal to 38 found the NCS more uncomfortable (P = 0.02). A positive correlation existed between NCS discomfort and number of nerves tested. 67% (35/52) of the patients with polyneuropathy found NCS more uncomfortable. Nerve conduction studies are more uncomfortable than needle EMG in the majority of patients, and predictions regarding which test will be more uncomfortable for a given patient are possible.

Body Mass Index

Humans

Middle Aged

Neurologic Examination - adverse effects

Male

Neural Conduction

Needles - adverse effects

Young Adult

Adolescent

Aged, 80 and over

Adult

Female

Aged

Electromyography - adverse effects

Neurologic Examination - methods

Electromyography - methods

Details

Title: Subtitle: Factors influencing aversion to specific electrodiagnostic studies
Creators: Nivedita U Jerath - Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa, USA
Scott B Strader - Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa, USA
Chandan G Reddy - Department of Neurosurgery, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa, USA
Andrea Swenson - Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa, USA ; Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Neurology Iowa City, Iowa, USA
Jun Kimura - Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa, USA
Edward Aul - Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa, USA ; Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Department of Neurology Iowa City, Iowa, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Brain and behavior, Vol.4(5), pp.698-702
DOI: 10.1002/brb3.240
PMID: 25328846
PMCID: PMC4188363
NLM abbreviation: Brain Behav
ISSN: 2162-3279
eISSN: 2162-3279
Publisher: United States
Language: English
Date published: 09/2014
Academic Unit: Neurology; Neurosurgery
Record Identifier: 9984020607702771

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