Pudendal and median nerve sensory perception threshold: A comparison between normative studies

Abstract

Background: For the evaluation of sensory innervation, normative data are necessary as a comparison.Aims: To compare our current perception thresholds (CPTs) with normative data from other research.Methods: Healthy volunteers were assessed for 2000, 250, and 5 Hz CPTs of the median and pudendal nerve and data were compared with other studies.Results: Normative data in the studied group n = 41 (male: 21; female: 20) for the median nerve, 2 kHz, 250 Hz, and 5 Hz were respectively: 241.85 ± 67.72 (140–444); 106.27 ± 39.12 (45–229); 82.05 ± 43.40 (13–271). Pudendal nerve CPTs 250 Hz were: 126.44 ± 69.46 (6–333). For men 2 kHz: 349.95 ± 125.76 (100–588); 5 Hz: 132.67 ± 51.81 (59–249) and women 2 kHz: 226.20 ± 119.65 (64–528); 5 Hz: 92.45 ± 44.66 (35–215). For the median nerve no statistical differences for gender were shown. For the pudendal nerve, only 250 Hz showed no difference for gender (t-test: 0.516). Comparison of our data with CPTs of other normative data showed no agreement for the pudendal nerve. For the median nerve only 2 kHz showed agreement in three studies and for 5 Hz with one study.Conclusion: Comparing normative data of multiple studies shows a variety of results and poor agreement. Therefore, referring to normative data of other studies should be handled with caution.