The importance of sample size for the estimation of F wave latency parameters in the ulnar nerve

✍ Scribed by Dr. Elisabeth Chroni; Dr. Nicholas Taub; Dr. Chrysostomos P. Panayiotopoulos

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1994
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 339 KB
• Volume: 17
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0148-639X
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.880171223

✦ Synopsis

F wave latency data, which provide a measure of motor fiber conduction velocities,6 are routinely estimated in the electrophysiological investigation of peripheral nerve pathology. ~I'he number of stimuli or number of F waves that are required to provide reasonably accurate measurements of the various parameters used"."-' ". l 5. l IS ' still a controversial matter. I n clinical reports the sample size 107.1fi or even 5 ' responses resulting in discrepancies of the normal values among different laboratories. More irnportant, however, is the potential risk of producing false negative or false positive results that an inadequate sample size promotes. Another aspect, which has received little attention, is the possibility that different sample sizes may be required for nornial subjects and neuropathic patients.

'lhe purpose of the present study was to inves-