Table 3.
Relationships between baseline CSE and change in strength.
| Thenar CSE | Baseline CSE | Change in precision grip | Change in sensory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean (SD) | Correlationa [p-value] | Correlationa [p-value] | |
| Thenar AMT (%MSO) | 47.89 (13.99) | −0.680 [0.022]* | −0.009 [0.491] |
| Thenar MEP120 (mV) | 0.23 (0.1) | 0.731 [0.031]* | −0.193 [0.339] |
| Thenar MEPmax (mV) | 0.92 (0.5) | 0.25 [0.26] | −0.429 [0.168] |
| Thenar RCslope (×103) | 1.59 (4.32) | −0.37 [0.21] | −0.083 [0.416] |
| Thenar RCrange (%AMT) | 117.78 (80.9) | 0.800 [0.005]** | −0.193 [0.339] |
| Thenar RCAUC | 48.66 (34.44) | 0.648 [0.030]* | −0.199 [0.304] |
aPearson r, one-tailed.
Bold text indicates significant values: *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01.
Measures of CSE were acquired from the cortex associated with the weaker hand (based on upper extremity motor score) in all but two subjects. In these subjects, no visible contraction was observed in the thenar muscles at baseline; therefore, the stronger hand was tested.
AMT, active motor threshold; CSE, corticospinal excitability; MEP120, amplitude of the motor-evoked potential at 120% of AMT; MEPmax, maximum motor-evoked potential; RCslope, slope of the recruitment curve between 100 and 140% AMT; RCrange, intensity range of the recruitment curve; RCAUC, area under the recruitment curve.