Diagnostic value of Phalen's test and Nerve Conduction Velocity in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a prevalent disorder in women 30 to 60 years old, which is due to compression of median nerve in hand wrist tunnel. As this syndrome is prevalent, diagnostic power of clinical tests are undefined and electrodiagnostic tests are not accessible widely. This study was conducted to determine the diagnostic power of Phalen's test in comparison with NCV. Methods: 93 patients (overall 97 hands) entered this case-control study. The Phalen's test was performed for all the patients, then definite diagnosis was made by electrodiagnostic tests, and diagnostic power Phalen's test was defined. Data were analysed using Chi-square statistical test by Minitab software. Results: 75 (7502%) of participants were female. Mean age of patients group was 39.1 years old and mean age of control group was 39.4% years old. The sensitivity of Phalen's test was 85.3% and its specifity was 88.5%. Tinel's test was studied too, that its sensitivity and specifity were 57% and 68%, respectively. Conclusion: This study shows that positive clinical tests approve the diagnosis of CTS, and as note to results of Phalen's test, negative test is valuable too, but negative Tinel's test can not rule out CTS. So, the Phalen's test is valuable to rule out or rule in the diagnosis of CTS but we can not rely on it for certain diagnosis of CTS and for definite diagnosis, electrodiagnostic test are recommended.