Reliability of a widely used test of peripheral cutaneous vibration sensitivity and a comparison of two testing protocols

F E Gerr; R Letz

doi:10.1136/oem.45.9.635

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Reliability of a widely used test of peripheral cutaneous vibration sensitivity and a comparison of two testing protocols

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Reliability of a widely used test of peripheral cutaneous vibration sensitivity and a comparison of two testing protocols

F E Gerr and R Letz

British journal of industrial medicine, Vol.45(9), pp.635-639

09/1988

DOI: 10.1136/oem.45.9.635

PMCID: PMC1009668

PMID: 3179239

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Abstract

Quantitative, non-invasive instruments for assessing peripheral sensory function are being used in many epidemiological investigations of workplace hazards. To be useful in this context such tests should have high reliability and short administration time. The reliability and time efficiency of two testing protocols for determining cutaneous vibration sensitivity (vibration threshold) were compared in 22 healthy volunteers. Both methods were administered using a widely used testing device (Vibratron II). The first testing protocol was a two alternative "forced choice" method recommended by the instrument manufacturer. The second protocol was a "yes-no" method of limits procedure. Each subject's dominant index finger was tested with both methods on two occasions to compare their reliability. In these well educated subjects the method of limits procedure was found to be substantially more reliable and was much less time consuming than the recommended forced choice procedure. The simpler method of limits procedure may be preferable to the forced choice method in certain test conditions.

Clinical Protocols

Humans

Neuropsychological Tests - instrumentation

Peripheral Nerves - physiology

Sensation - physiology

Sensory Thresholds

Skin - innervation

Skin Physiological Phenomena

Vibration

Details

Title: Subtitle: Reliability of a widely used test of peripheral cutaneous vibration sensitivity and a comparison of two testing protocols
Creators: F E Gerr - Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
R Letz
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: British journal of industrial medicine, Vol.45(9), pp.635-639
DOI: 10.1136/oem.45.9.635
PMID: 3179239
PMCID: PMC1009668
ISSN: 0007-1072
eISSN: 1470-7926
Grant note: P30-ES00928 / NIEHS NIH HHS KO1-0H00064 / PHS HHS
Language: English
Date published: 09/1988
Academic Unit: Occupational and Environmental Health; Epidemiology
Record Identifier: 9984364405202771

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