The role of the nine-hole peg test and neurophysiological tests in the classification of carpal tunnel syndrome

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the use of the nine-hole nail test and neurophysiological tests in the diagnosis and classification of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods: This study was planned as a prospective cross-sectional study. Age, gender, occupation, height (cm), weight (kg), body mass index (BMI-kg/m2) values of all patients included in the study were recorded. In addition to the nine-hole nail test, LANNS, DN4 model was applied to CTS patients. In addition, the duration of the patients' complaints (months), the classification of their clinical findings and electrophysiological staging were recorded. The sensory and muscle strength examination of the hand was evaluated with Phalen and Tinel tests. Nerve conduction study (NCS) was performed with Cadwell Sierra EMG in our Neurophysiology Laboratory and normal values from our Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory were used. Results: A positive (linear) moderate correlation was found between the BCTQ FSS value and the left nine-hole nail test, the defective nine-hole nail test, the BCTQ SSS, LANNS and DN 4 values (r=0.387; r=0.350; r=0.649; r=0.431; r=0.490, respectively). A positive (linear) moderate correlation was found between the LANNS value and the defective nine-hole wooden nail test and DN 4 values (r=0.395; r=0.666, respectively). A positive (linear) moderate correlation was found between the DN 4 value and the BCTQ SSS, the BCTQ FSS and LANNS values (r=0.599; r=0.490; r=0.666, respectively). Conclusion: It is possible to say that the nine-hole nail test and BCTQ tests are effective and reliable tools in the clinical and functional evaluation of CTS.