EFFECT OF MENSTRUATION ON VIBROTACTILE THRESHOLD IN THE PERIPHERAL MEDIAN NERVE

A four-week vibrometry evaluation was conducted on nine female clerica l workers (average age 31) to determine the effect of menstruation on vibrotactile threshold of the median nerve. Each participant was right -handed, asymptomatic for peripheral median nerve sensory dysfunction, and worked at least 20 hours per week, The evaluation concluded that vibrotactile threshold values recorded during menstruation were signif icantly higher than during nonmenstruation (p < 0.0005). This result s uggests screening protocols need to account for menstruation status to minimize the chance of a false positive diagnosis when interpreting t he signs, symptoms, and test results for peripheral median nerve senso ry dysfunction such as carpal tunnel syndrome.