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Objectives: To determine the frequency with which electrodiagnostic (EDX) physicians alter their needle EMG practices because of patients’ pain.

Methods: A 10-question survey was sent electronically to approximately 3, 500 members of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM). Physicians were asked the frequency at which they limit, avoid, and/or abort a needle EMG secondary to patients’ pain, and what strategies they use to limit this pain. Logistic regression analysis was used to ascertain which demographic variables influence the alteration of a needle EMG.

Results: Of the 417 EDX physicians responding, 67.1% limit or alter their standard needle EMG practice, 57.4% avoid specific muscles, and 43% abort an examination early in at least 10% of studies due to the perception of patients’ pain. Most responders use a pre-examination explanation of what to expect …