Hiroshima J. Med. Sci.
Vol. 53, No. 1, 1～５, March, 2004
HIJM 53-1
Katsuhiro TODA, Hiroshi MUNESHIGE (deceased), Tomohiro ASOU and Hiroaki KIMURA
Department of Rehabilitation, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
Key words: Current perception threshold, Neurometer, Neuroselective sensory nerve conduction threshold, Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
ABSTRACT
The current perception threshold (CPT) test has been developed as one of the neuroselective sensory nerve conduction threshold tests. The score of the CPT of the affected side subtracted from the score of the CPT of the unaffected side in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is expected to show pain objectively. The purpose of this study is to examine first whether the CPT of the affected side is generally lower than that of the unaffected side, and second, whether the greater score shows the more intense pain. The CPT of each side in 25 patients with unilateral CRPS type-I was measured and compared. For the 2000 Hz stimulus, the CPT of the affected side was 2677 ± 262 μAmp (mean ± standard error) and the CPT of the unaffected side was 2194 ± 247μAmp (p = 0.0149). For the 250 Hz stimulus, the CPT was 876 ± 117 μAmp and 721 ± 73μAmp respectively (p > 0.05). For the 5 Hz stimulus, the CPT was 730 ± 105μAmp and 448 ± 56μAmp respectively (p = 0.0018). In 2000 Hz, 250 Hz, and 5 Hz stimuli, the CPT of the affected side was higher than that of the unaffected side. This shows that generally the affected side is less sensitive than the unaffected side in terms of current perception. The score of the CPT of the affected side subtracted from the score of the CPT of the unaffected side in CRPS does not measure the patient's pain.
Address for reprints: Katsuhiro Toda, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Rehabilitation, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
Fax: +81-82-257-5594 Tel: +81-82-257-5566
Running title: CPT in CRPS