Electrodiagnostic study of Sympathetic Skin Response on Normal Korean Subjects

Sympathetic skin response (SSR) is defined as a minute change of skin potential after electrical stimulation. This test measures the change in voltage that originates from the surface of the skin and is attributed to sudomotor activity. The aim of this study was to define the criteria for validation of the responses. 40 normal subjects (20-73 years of age) with non-sympathetic dysfunction were tested and SSR was generated form all subjects. SSR latency was 1331.22${\pm}$177.51ms in the right palm, 1331.74${\pm}$156.42ms in the left palm, 1851.79${\pm}$220.99ms in the right sole, and 1874.10${\pm}$215.01ms in the left sole. And SSR amplitude was 595.83${\pm}$221.16${\mu}$V in the right palm, 605.33${\pm}$226.45${\mu}$V in the left palm, 291.76${\pm}$133.36${\mu}$V in the right sole, and 288.77${\pm}$129.70${\mu}$ V in the left sole. SSR latency and amplitude had no significantly difference between the right and the left side. SSR latency was consistently shorter (p<0.001) and SSR amplitude higher (p<0.001) in feet than in hands. SSR waveforms were P-type (32 subjects, 75%) and N-type (8 subjects, 25%), respectively. The SSR latency and amplitude in palms/soles were closely correlated with age (p<0.05) and height (p<0.05). The SSR test is one of methods assessing impairment of sympathetic fibers in peripheral neuropathy as well as a disorder of sympathetic system in other diseases and so our results from normal healthy subjects can be used as clinical criteria for SSR test.