Peer-reviewed research
Clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome: a systematic review
JC MacDermid and J Wessel, Journal of Hand Therapy, 2004 · DOI 10.1197/j.jht.2004.02.015
Read the originalRead on October 16, 2026
- What it is
- A systematic review of 60 studies that estimated the sensitivity and specificity of clinical tests for carpal tunnel syndrome, using sample-weighted averages.
- How much weight it carries
- Peer-reviewed and often cited, but the authors say many included studies were of poor quality (mean quality score 6.6 of 12). The estimates are older than the 2023 meta-analysis and come from studies with different reference standards.
Facts taken from this source
- In a 2004 systematic review of 60 studies, Phalen's test had an overall sensitivity of 68 percent and a specificity of 73 percent.
“The most frequently studied test was Phalen's, with an overall estimate of 68% sensitivity and 73% specificity.” (Abstract)
- In the same 2004 review, Tinel's sign had an estimated sensitivity of 50 percent and a specificity of 77 percent.
“Next was Tinel's, with estimates of 50% and 77%,” (Abstract)