Interdecadal changes of nerve conduction studies of lower limb in healthy Japanese subjects

Abstract

In Japan, it was well known that the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of the extensor digitorum brevis (EDB) muscle with fibular nerve stimulation could not be often obtained in normal subjects. It is suggested there is subclinical fibular nerve palsy due to the Japanese traditional “floor sitting” lifestyle, but there have been no corroborative studies. We received the nerve conduction study results in 139 healthy Japanese subjects without neurological deficits, which were recorded from 1985 to 2015. CMAP amplitudes from fibular nerve and tibial nerve stimulations in 1985 showed lower than that in 2005 and in 2015. These amplitudes is not demonstrated a relationship with BMI and body height. We considered the interdecadal changes were due to change in our lifestyle.