Abnormal peripheral nervous system physiology Positive Phalen test 2021-02-28T15:04:14Z See Figure 2 of PMID:31773104. Phalen manoeuvre The Phalen maneuver is performed by having the patient hold both wrists in complete and forced flexion (pushing the dorsal surfaces of both hands together) for 30-60 seconds. This can increase the pressure in the carpal tunnel. The test is positive (abnormal) if the patient experiences characteristic symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (pain and paresthesias along the distribution of the median nerve, i.e., thumb, index finger, and middle finger). Phalen maneuver