The Impact of Wearable Technology on Median Nerve Conduction Studies: A Comparative Analysis of Smartwatch and Traditional Watch Wearers
Öz
Aim: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy, presenting with pain, numbness, and tingling in the hands. Factors such as occupational and lifestyle habits, repetitive movements, and external compression contribute to its development. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between continuous daily smartwatch use and median nerve electrophysiological features, comparing it with traditional watch users.
Material and Method: A total of 96 adult participants were included, comprising individuals who did not use any type of watch and those who had used either a smartwatch or a traditional watch for at least three months. Data on demographics, watch use habits, and Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire scores were collected. We performed median nerve conduction studies (NCS) and evaluated the combined sensory index (CSI) values.
Results: Ninety-six participants were enrolled: 35 without watches, 29 using traditional watches, and 32 using smartwatches. Smartwatch users demonstrated non-significant but more frequent and prolonged daily usage compared to traditional watch users (p>0.05). No significant differences were observed in NCS findings across the three groups (p>0.05). While 13.5% of participants showed median sensory NCS results compatible with CTS, this proportion increased to 41.4% when CSI>1.0 ms used as a criterion. The CSIs were similar in all three groups (p=0.79). No significant differences were found when comparing the frequency of CSI>1.0 ms between watch-wearing and non-wearing sides for both traditional watches (24.1% vs. 31.0%, p=0.77) and smartwatch users (25.0% vs. 18.8%; p=0.76).
Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to systematically investigate the effect of smartwatch use on median nerve electrophysiological findings. Our findings suggest frequent occurrences of asymptomatic CTS-related electrophysiological changes. However, these changes were not associated with significant differences in symptoms or NCS findings among smartwatch or traditional watch users.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Carpal tunnel syndrome nerve conduction studies wearable technology median nerve smartwatch
Etik Beyan
This study was approved by the Karabük University Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Date: 01/06/2022, Decision No: 2022/934).
Kaynakça
- Atroshi I, Gummesson C, Johnsson R, et al. Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in a general population. JAMA. 1999;282:153-8.
- Ferry S, Pritchard T, Keenan J, et al. Estimating the prevalence of delayed median nerve conduction in the general population. Br J Rheumatol. 1998;37:630-5.
- Padua L, Cuccagna C, Giovannini S, et al.. Carpal tunnel syndrome: updated evidence and new questions. Lancet Neurol. 2023;22:255-67.
- Osiak K, Elnazir P, Walocha JA, Pasternak A. Carpal tunnel syndrome: state-of-the-art review. Folia Morphol (Warsz). 2022;81:851-62.
- Padua L, Coraci D, Erra C, et al. Carpal tunnel syndrome: clinical features, diagnosis, and management. Lancet Neurol. 2016;15:1273-84.
- Bland JD. Carpal tunnel syndrome. Curr Opin Neurol. 2005;18:581-5.
- Werner RA, Andary M. Electrodiagnostic evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome. Muscle Nerve. 2011;44:597-607.
- Levine DW, Simmons BP, Koris MJ, et al. A self-administered questionnaire for the assessment of severity of symptoms and functional status in carpal tunnel syndrome. J Bone Jt Surg. 1993;75:1585-92.
- Tavee J. Nerve conduction studies: basic concepts. Handb Clin Neurol. 2019;160:217-24.
- Lew HL, Wang L, Robinson LR. Test-retest reliability of combined sensory index: Implications for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome. Muscle Nerve. 2000;23:1261-4.
- Lawson IJ. Is carpal tunnel syndrome caused by work with vibrating tools?. Occup Med (Chic Ill). 2020;70:8-10.
- Werner RA, Andary M. Carpal tunnel syndrome: pathophysiology and clinical neurophysiology. Clin Neurophysiol. 2002;113:1373-81.
- Donnelly JP, Hanna M, Sperry BW, Seitz WH. Carpal tunnel syndrome: a potential early, red-flag sign of amyloidosis. J Hand Surg Am. 2019;44:868-76.
- Kim KB, Baek HJ. Photoplethysmography in wearable devices: a comprehensive review of technological advances, current challenges, and future directions. Electronics. 2023;12:2923.
- Tsai SR, Hamblin MR. Biological effects and medical applications of infrared radiation. J Photochem Photobiol B Biol. 2017;170:197-207.
- Wang AK, Raynor EM, Blum AS, Rutkove SB. Heat sensitivity of sensory fibers in carpal tunnel syndrome. Muscle Nerve. 1999;22:37-42.
- Omeri M, Czell D. A Rare Cause for Median Nerve Irritation. Praxis (Bern 1994). 2023;112:441-5.
- Chen JQ, Wang D, Liu B. Body mass index and carpal tunnel syndrome: a case-control study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023;102:e34468.
Öz
Kaynakça
- Atroshi I, Gummesson C, Johnsson R, et al. Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in a general population. JAMA. 1999;282:153-8.
- Ferry S, Pritchard T, Keenan J, et al. Estimating the prevalence of delayed median nerve conduction in the general population. Br J Rheumatol. 1998;37:630-5.
- Padua L, Cuccagna C, Giovannini S, et al.. Carpal tunnel syndrome: updated evidence and new questions. Lancet Neurol. 2023;22:255-67.
- Osiak K, Elnazir P, Walocha JA, Pasternak A. Carpal tunnel syndrome: state-of-the-art review. Folia Morphol (Warsz). 2022;81:851-62.
- Padua L, Coraci D, Erra C, et al. Carpal tunnel syndrome: clinical features, diagnosis, and management. Lancet Neurol. 2016;15:1273-84.
- Bland JD. Carpal tunnel syndrome. Curr Opin Neurol. 2005;18:581-5.
- Werner RA, Andary M. Electrodiagnostic evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome. Muscle Nerve. 2011;44:597-607.
- Levine DW, Simmons BP, Koris MJ, et al. A self-administered questionnaire for the assessment of severity of symptoms and functional status in carpal tunnel syndrome. J Bone Jt Surg. 1993;75:1585-92.
- Tavee J. Nerve conduction studies: basic concepts. Handb Clin Neurol. 2019;160:217-24.
- Lew HL, Wang L, Robinson LR. Test-retest reliability of combined sensory index: Implications for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome. Muscle Nerve. 2000;23:1261-4.
- Lawson IJ. Is carpal tunnel syndrome caused by work with vibrating tools?. Occup Med (Chic Ill). 2020;70:8-10.
- Werner RA, Andary M. Carpal tunnel syndrome: pathophysiology and clinical neurophysiology. Clin Neurophysiol. 2002;113:1373-81.
- Donnelly JP, Hanna M, Sperry BW, Seitz WH. Carpal tunnel syndrome: a potential early, red-flag sign of amyloidosis. J Hand Surg Am. 2019;44:868-76.
- Kim KB, Baek HJ. Photoplethysmography in wearable devices: a comprehensive review of technological advances, current challenges, and future directions. Electronics. 2023;12:2923.
- Tsai SR, Hamblin MR. Biological effects and medical applications of infrared radiation. J Photochem Photobiol B Biol. 2017;170:197-207.
- Wang AK, Raynor EM, Blum AS, Rutkove SB. Heat sensitivity of sensory fibers in carpal tunnel syndrome. Muscle Nerve. 1999;22:37-42.
- Omeri M, Czell D. A Rare Cause for Median Nerve Irritation. Praxis (Bern 1994). 2023;112:441-5.
- Chen JQ, Wang D, Liu B. Body mass index and carpal tunnel syndrome: a case-control study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023;102:e34468.
Ayrıntılar
| Birincil Dil | İngilizce |
|---|---|
| Konular | Periferik Sinir Sistemi |
| Bölüm | Özgün Makaleler |
| Yazarlar | |
| Yayımlanma Tarihi | |
| Gönderilme Tarihi | 29 Mart 2025 |
| Kabul Tarihi | 13 Haziran 2025 |
| Yayımlandığı Sayı | Yıl 2025 Cilt: 7 Sayı: 3 |
Chief Editors
Assoc. Prof. Zülal Öner
Address: İzmir Bakırçay University, Department of Anatomy, İzmir, Turkey
Assoc. Prof. Deniz Şenol
Address: Düzce University, Department of Anatomy, Düzce, Turkey
Editors
Assoc. Prof. Serkan Öner
İzmir Bakırçay University, Department of Radiology, İzmir, Türkiye
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