Non-invasive electrical and magnetic stimulation of the brain, spinal cord and roots: basic principles and procedures for routine clinical application. Report of an IFCN committee

Context Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a cause of pain, numbness, and tingling
in the hands and is an important cause of work disability. Although high prevalence
rates of CTS in certain occupations have been reported, little is known about
its prevalence in the general population. Objective To estimate the prevalence of CTS in a general population. Design General health mail survey sent in February 1997, inquiring about symptoms
of pain, numbness, and tingling in any part of the body, followed 2 months
later by clinical examination and nerve conduction testing of responders reporting
symptoms in the median nerve distribution in the hands, as well as of a sample
of those not reporting these symptoms (controls). Setting A region in southern Sweden with a population of 170,000. Participants A sex- and age-stratified sample of 3000 subjects (age range, 25-74
years) was randomly selected from the general population register and sent
the survey, with a response rate of 83% (n=2466; 46% men). Of the symptomatic
responders, 81% underwent clinical examination. Main Outcome Measures Population prevalence rates, calculated as the number of symptomatic
responders diagnosed on examination as having clinically certain CTS and/or
electrophysiological median neuropathy divided by the total number of responders.
 Results Of the 2466 responders, 354 reported pain, numbness, and/or tingling
in the median nerve distribution in the hands (prevalence, 14.4%; 95% confidence
interval [CI], 13.0%-15.8%). On clinical examination, 94 symptomatic subjects
were diagnosed as having clinically certain CTS (prevalence, 3.8%; 95% CI,
3.1%-4.6%). Nerve conduction testing showed median neuropathy at the carpal
tunnel in 120 symptomatic subjects (prevalence, 4.9%; 95% CI, 4.1%-5.8%).
Sixty-six symptomatic subjects had clinically and electrophysiologically confirmed
CTS (prevalence, 2.7%; 95% CI, 2.1%-3.4%). Of 125 control subjects clinically
examined, electrophysiological median neuropathy was found in 23 (18.4%; 95%
CI, 12.0%-26.3%). Conclusion Symptoms of pain, numbness, and tingling in the hands are common in
the general population. Based on our data, 1 in 5 symptomatic subjects would
be expected to have CTS based on clinical examination and electrophysiologic
testing.

/pdf/prevalence-of-carpal-tunnel-syndrome-in-a-general-population-1dhdbzaeg4.pdf

Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in a General Population

Electrodiagnostic criteria for diagnosis of ALS.

Pain is intimately linked with action systems that are involved in observational learning and imitation. Motor responses to one's own pain allow freezing or escape reactions and ultimately survival. Here we show that similar motor responses occur as a result of observation of painful events in others. We used transcranial magnetic stimulation to record changes in corticospinal motor representations of hand muscles of individuals observing needles penetrating hands or feet of a human model or noncorporeal objects. We found a reduction in amplitude of motor-evoked potentials that was specific to the muscle that subjects observed being pricked. This inhibition correlated with the observer's subjective rating of the sensory qualities of the pain attributed to the model and with sensory, but not emotional, state or trait empathy measures. The empathic inference about the sensory qualities of others' pain and their automatic embodiment in the observer's motor system may be crucial for the social learning of reactions to pain.

/pdf/transcranial-magnetic-stimulation-highlights-the-4abpvfmuk9.pdf

Transcranial magnetic stimulation highlights the sensorimotor side of empathy for pain

Among the numerous attempts to integrate tissue engineering concepts into strategies to repair nearly all parts of the body, neuronal repair stands out. This is partially due to the complexity of the nervous anatomical system, its functioning and the inefficiency of conventional repair approaches, which are based on single components of either biomaterials or cells alone. Electrical stimulation has been shown to enhance the nerve regeneration process and this consequently makes the use of electrically conductive polymers very attractive for the construction of scaffolds for nerve tissue engineering. In this review, by taking into consideration the electrical properties of nerve cells and the effect of electrical stimulation on nerve cells, we discuss the most commonly utilized conductive polymers, polypyrrole (PPy) and polyaniline (PANI), along with their design and modifications, thus making them suitable scaffolds for nerve tissue engineering. Other electrospun, composite, conductive scaffolds, such as PANI/gelatin and PPy/poly(e-caprolactone), with or without electrical stimulation, are also discussed. Different procedures of electrical stimulation which have been used in tissue engineering, with examples on their specific applications in tissue engineering, are also discussed.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/term.383

Application of conductive polymers, scaffolds and electrical stimulation for nerve tissue engineering.

With each subsequent edition, Dr. Kimura has built upon his extensive experience teaching electromyography (EMG) around the world and has transferred his knowledge to the book. It is intended for clinicians who perform electrodiagnostic procedures as an extension of their clinical examination, and will be of value to neurologists and physiatrists who are interested in neuromuscular disorders and noninvasive electrodiagnostic methods, particularly those practicing electromyography (EMG). The book provides a comprehensive review of most peripheral nerve and muscle diseases, including specific techniques and locations for performing each test.New to this edition:intra-operative monitoringstudies for the pediatric and geriatric populationsdata analysis and reporting, which should help facilitate daily practice

Electrodiagnosis in Diseases of Nerve and Muscle: Principles and Practice

Print version: ; Kimura, Jun ; Electrodiagnosis in Diseases of Nerve and Muscle : Principles and Practice ; Cary : Oxford University Press, USA,c2013 ; 9780199738687. ;

Jun Kimura

Papers

Electrodiagnosis in Diseases of Nerve and Muscle: Principles and Practice

Electrodiagnosis in Diseases of Nerve and Muscle

Assessment of individual nerves.

Principles of Nerve Conduction Studies

Types of Electromyographic Abnormalities