Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between electrodiagnostic fi ndings and hand functions, clinical severity and examination fi ndings of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In addition, we aimed to determine the diagnostic value of provocative tests such as tinel, phalen and reverse phalen tests in the diagnosis of CTS. Material and Methods: We evaluated 79 wrists of 44 patients who were diagnosed as CTS on the basis of clinical history, physical examination and abnormalities of median nerve sensory and motor conduction velocities and 50 healthy volunteers. Physical evaluation included the tinel, phalen and reverse phalen tests. The clinical severity of CTS was scored in terms of a historic and objective scale and hand function was evaluated through the Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire and Duruoz Hand Index.Results: It was determined that the severity of CTS and the electrophysiological assessment was correlated with the severity of symptoms, pain and hand strength whereas it was not correlated with functional status. Functional status is affected by hand and pinch grip strength. Sensitivities of the tinel, phalen and reverse phalen tests were 62%, 54.4%, and 57% respectively, whereas their specifi cities were 92%, 86%, and 88% respectively in our study group. There was no association between CTS severity and the positivity of provocative tests.Conclusion: Electrophysiological evaluation is quite important for the diagnosis of CTS disease. However, this investigative method cannot be carried out everywhere and patient appointments to evaluate their condition are arranged for later times. In such situations, provocative tests, symptoms and functional status are important for the diagnosis.