Radial Nerve F-wave Reference Values with Surface Electrodes from the Anconeus Muscle

Introduction: We sought to obtain normative values for radial nerve F-wave variables, recording with surface electrodes from the anconeus muscle. Methods: We tested 30 healthy participants (17 women, 13 men) and measured the following variables: number of F waves/40 traces (F%); minimum, maximum, and mean F-wave latency (FMIN, FMAX, FMED, respectively); F-wave chronodispersion (FCHR); interside differences of F% and FMIN (DF% and DFMIN, respectively). Results: The mean F% was 41.3%; the normative values of FMIN, FMED, FMAX, and FCHR were < 21.2, <22.1, <23.3, and < 4.0 ms, respectively; and normative values of DF% and DFMIN were < 16.6% and < 1.1 ms, respectively. Height was the sole independent predictor in a regression model of FMIN, FMED, and FMAX; this explained 37%-44% of the variability. Discussion: We identified a feasible and useful technique to record radial nerve F waves from the anconeus muscle and obtained normative values of F-wave variables. Muscle Nerve 59:244-246, 2019