J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2001 Oct;25(5):812-817.

Motor Unit Numbers Estimation in Abductor Pollicis Brevis Muscle of Normal Adult

• Choi OC
• Yoon TS
• Lee JE
• Shin HS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To estimate the motor unit numbers in normal adult hand muscles using manual incremental technique and F-wave technique. METHOD: We estimated the motor unit numbers in abductor pollicis brevis muscles of twenty normal adults. In manual incremental technique, we estimated the motor unit numbers using motor unit count program setted in electrodiagnostic equipment (Dantec, Keypoint). In F-wave technique, we estimated the motor unit numbers dividing maximal M-potential amplitude by mean amplitude of surface motor unit action potential.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference of motor unit numbers between right and left abductor pollicis brevis in both manual incremental and F-wave technique. Motor unit numbers using F-wave technique were significantly greater than motor unit numbers using manual incremental technique.
CONCLUSION
The difference of motor unit numbers using manual incremental technique and F-wave technique was considered as a difference of functional electrical stimulation. F-wave technique was more physiologic and functional method of motor unit numbers estimation than manual incremental technique.

Keyword

Motor unit number; Manual incremental technique; F-wave technique

MeSH Terms

Action Potentials
Adult*
Electric Stimulation
Hand
Humans
Muscles