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EMG Related Anxiety and Pain: A Prospective Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

Mohammed M.S. Jan ,
Murray Schwartz  and
Timothy J. Benstead
Mohammed M.S. Jan
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology and Department of Psychology
Murray Schwartz
Affiliation:
QEII Health Sciences Centre and Dalhousie University Medical School, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Timothy J. Benstead
Affiliation:
QEII Health Sciences Centre and Dalhousie University Medical School, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Abstract

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Background:

Electromyography (EMG) is a useful test, but unfortunately also painful. We frequently encounter patients who worry about its painful nature, but tolerate it very well. Objectives: We evaluated anxiety levels of patients referred for EMG to explore the possible correlating and contributing factors to high anxiety.

Methods:

A structured questionnaire, including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was completed by patients immediately before EMG testing. Emergency, hospitalized, and seriously ill patients were excluded.

Results:

Seventy-nine cases with ages ranging from 19-72 years (mean 43) were included. Thirty-five (44%) patients had a high pre-test anxiety level. The likelihood of high anxiety was increased if the patient was worried about the test (p<0.001) or about other issues unrelated to the test or underlying diagnosis (p<0.001), or was taking an anti-psychotic or anxiolytic drug (p=0.008). The degree or source of knowledge regarding the test procedure, did not affect the pre-test anxiety level.

Conclusion:

The information about EMG testing received by patients in this group did not affect pre-test anxiety levels. The patient's expectations regarding the test did influence anxiety levels and this may reflect generalized anxiety regarding testing procedures or misinformation regarding the nature of the test, as patients in general reported a better than anticipated experience following the test.

Résumé

RÉSUMÉIntroduction:

L'éctromyographie (ÉG) est un examen utile mais douloureux. Nous rencontrons souvent des patients qui s'inquiènt que l'examen soit douloureux, mais qui le tolènt trèbien.

Objectifs:

Nous avons évalué le niveau d’anxiété de patients référés pour un ÉMG afin d’explorer les facteurs possibles ayant une corrélation et contribuant à un niveau élevé d’anxiété.

Méthodes:

Un questionnaire structuré, incluant le State-Trait Anxiety Inventory a été complété par les patients immédiatement avant de subir un ÉMG. Les patients se présentant à l’urgence, les patients hospitalisés et ceux qui étaient gravement malades ont été exclus.

Résultats:

Soixante-dix-sept patients dont l’âge variait entre 19 et 72 ans (moyenne 43) ont participé à l’étude. Trente-cinq patients (44%) avaient un niveau d’anxiété élevé avant le test. La probabilité que le patient soit très anxieux était plus élevée si le patient était inquiet à propos du test (p<0.001) ou pour d’autres raisons non reliées au test ou au diagnostic (p<0.001), ou qu’il prenait une médication antipsychotique ou anxiolytique (p=0.008). Le degré ou la source des connaissances sur le test n’affectait pas le niveau d’anxiété prétest.

Conclusions:

L’information sur l’ÉMG reçue par les patients de ce groupe n’influençait pas le niveau d’anxiété pré-test. Les attentes des patients concernant le test ont influencé le niveau d’anxiété et ceci peut refléter une anxiété généralisée envers le test ou une information erronée sur la nature du test, vu que les patients en general ont rapporté que leur expérience du test avait été meilleure qu’ils ne l’avaient anticipée.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 26 , Issue 4 , November 1999 , pp. 294 - 297
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 1999

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