Clinical Research Article

A modified multiple point stimulation method for motor unit number estimation of the hypothenar muscles

Akiko Hachisuka MD, PhD

Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alberta, 5005 Katz Group Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E1, Canada

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan

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K. Ming Chan MD, FRCPC,

Corresponding Author

K. Ming Chan MD, FRCPC

[email protected]

Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alberta, 5005 Katz Group Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E1, Canada

Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Correspondence to: K. M. Chan; e-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Akiko Hachisuka MD, PhD,

Akiko Hachisuka MD, PhD

Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alberta, 5005 Katz Group Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E1, Canada

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan

Search for more papers by this author

K. Ming Chan MD, FRCPC,

Corresponding Author

K. Ming Chan MD, FRCPC

[email protected]

Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alberta, 5005 Katz Group Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E1, Canada

Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Correspondence to: K. M. Chan; e-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

First published: 29 November 2018

https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.26391

Citations: 3

Additional supporting information may be found in the online version of this article.

Funding: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science KAKENHI (JP18K17701 to A.H.).

Conflicts of Interest: None of the authors have any conflicts of interest to disclose.

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ABSTRACT

Introduction: The goal of this study is to test the hypothesis that single motor unit action potentials (SMUPs) originating from other ulnar nerve–innervated intrinsic hand muscles can inflate the motor unit number estimation (MUNE) of the hypothenar muscles. Methods: Using the multiple point stimulation method, SMUPs recorded over the hypothenar muscles from distant origins were characterized through multichannel recordings. The MUNE calculated using only the hypothenar SMUPs was compared with estimations based on the whole ensemble. Results: Of the 41 studies performed, distant SMUPs represented 17 ± 9.5% (mean ± SD) of the overall sample. MUNE calculated using only hypothenar SMUPs was 423 ± 204, compared with 537 ± 290 if all SMUPs were included (P < 0.05). The extent of increase in MUNE was highly correlated with the proportion of distant SMUPs found (r = 0.89, P < 0.05). Discussion: Erroneous inclusion of SMUPs from distant muscles can significantly distort the MUNE results. Muscle Nerve 59:337–341, 2019

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Volume59, Issue3

March 2019

Pages 337-341

A modified multiple point stimulation method for motor unit number estimation of the hypothenar muscles

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A modified multiple point stimulation method for motor unit number estimation of the hypothenar muscles

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