The Role of Sympathetic Skin Response in Assessing Autonomic Function in Normal Adults

Description

Background: Sympathetic Skin Response (SSR) is a simple, non-invasive and reproducible test to assess the impairment of the sympathetic fibers of the peripheral nerves. It measures the change in electrical skin potential to a variety of stimuli. The objective of this study was to assess SSR in a sample of normal healthy adults. Method: 25 normal healthy adults who volunteered to participate were assessed for SSR in their foot and hand. SSR was assessed using Neurowerk EMG/NCV equipment capable of assessing SSR. Electrical current was used on the median nerve at the wrist to elicit SSR. Results: SSR was elicited in all 25 participants. The mean SSR latency and SSR Amplitude for the hand were 1.2 (+/- 0.42) secs and 2503 (+/- 1424) micro Volt respectively. The mean SSR Latency and SSR Amplitude for the foot were 1.8 (+/- 0.44) secs and 1749 (+/- 1252) micro Volts respectively. It was observed that there was no significant difference in the SSR values when compared between male and female participants, so gender had no effect on SSR values. There was no association of SSR values with the BMI of the participants. Characteristics of the SSR curves were discussed. Conclusion: Mean values of SSR latency measured at hand and foot are 1.2 (+/- 0.42) secs and 1.8 (+/- 0.44) secs respectively. Mean values of SSR amplitude measured at hand and foot are 2503 (+/- 1424) micro Volts and 1749 (+/- 1252) micro Volts respectively. Gender had no effect on SSR values in this study.
Keywords: Sympathetic Skin Response, Autonomic Function, Healthy Adults, Electrical Current