Parameters of fasciculation potentials (FPs) in the three groups of subjects studied, expressed as mean values and SD's
| G1–61 patients TA muscle—MRC 5/5 | G2—12 patients TA muscle—MRC 4/5 | G3—10 patients Benign FPs | p Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of FPs | 223 | 76 | 61 | |
| Amplitude (μV) | 719.26±596.44 range 131–3599 | 1115.17±656.2 range 249–3250 | 506.85±307.67 range 117–1440 | *G1 vs G2—p<0.001 *G1 vs G3—p=0.029 *G2 vs G3—p<0.001 |
| Duration (ms) | 13.25±5.11 range 2.8–37.4 | 16.0±4.00 range 6.4–26 | 11.77±4.47 range 3.1–22 | *G1 vs G2—p<0.001 *G1 vs G3—p=0.082 *G2 vs G3—p<0.001 |
| Number of phases | 3.63±1.73 range 2–15 | 4.37±1.91 range 2–11 | 2.98±1.04 range 1–6 | †G1 vs G2—p<0.001 †G1 vs G3—p=0.007 †G2 vs G3—p<0.001 |
| Polyphasic (%) | 18.47 | 35.53 | 4.9 | ‡G1 vs G2—p<0.018 ‡G1 vs G3—p=0.021 ‡G2 vs G3—p<0.001 |
| Doublets (%) | 2.7 | 11.8 | 0 | ‡G1 vs G2—p<0.001 ‡G1 vs G3—p=0.240 ‡G2 vs G3—p<0.001 |
*The data in the three groups was compared using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. As a post hoc test for differences between pairs of groups we used the Tukey test.
†The data in the three groups was compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. As a post hoc test for differences between pairs of groups we used the Mann-Whitney test.
‡The data in the three groups was compared using the contingency tables.
ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; G1, group 1 (ALS patients with tibialis anterior strength=5 on the medical research council (MRC) scale); G2, group 2 (ALS patients with tibialis anterior strength=4 on the MRC scale); G3, group 3 (patients with benign fasciculations); TA, tibialis anterior.