When recording SSEP responses in an awake patient, what is the motor threshold?

The motor threshold in the context of recording somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) in an awake patient refers to the minimum stimulation intensity required to elicit a visible twitch in the appropriate muscle. This measure is crucial as it helps to ensure that the stimulation is sufficient to create a localized, measurable muscular response, indicating that the motor pathway is intact and functioning properly.

By identifying the motor threshold—especially during the intraoperative monitoring of patients—it allows clinicians to avoid excessively high stimulation levels that could lead to discomfort or pain, while also ensuring that responses are robust enough to be reliably measured. In awake patients, achieving an optimal balance of stimulus intensity is particularly important, as they can provide immediate feedback regarding sensations, discomfort, or movement, thus enhancing the safety and effectiveness of the monitoring process.