Fact · Accessibility and health
0.71sensitivity
In a 2020 study of 85 hands with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome, Durkan's test had a sensitivity of 0.71 and a specificity of 0.22, using electrodiagnostic testing as the reference.
Checked against its source on October 16, 2026
In the source's own words
“Durkan's test had a sensitivity of 0.71 and specificity of 0.22.”
Accuracy of Provocative Tests for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Dafang Zhang et al., Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online, 2020, Results.
Open the original (DOI 10.1016/j.jhsg.2020.03.002)- What it measures
- Durkan's test presses firmly over the carpal tunnel on the palm side of the wrist for up to 30 seconds and is positive if tingling or pain follows. The study compared it with the Tinel sign, Phalen's test and a combination of the two.
- What it does not show
- A specificity of 0.22 means many people without the condition also test positive. The study had 55 patients, so the figures are one data point.