A modified multiple point stimulation method for motor unit number estimation of the hypothenar muscles. Issue 3 (14th January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hachisuka, Akiko; Ming Chan, K.
• Is Part Of: Muscle & nerve. Volume 59:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 337
• Page End: 341
• Publication Date: 2019-01-14
• Subjects: dipole theory -- electrophysiology -- human hypothenar muscles -- motor unit number estimation -- ulnar nerve; Neuromuscular diseases -- Periodicals; Muscles -- Periodicals; Nerves -- Periodicals; 616.74
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.26391
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-639X

Abstract

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