Vibration perception threshold testing in patients with diabetic neuropathy: ceiling effects and reliability.

Full Abstract

AIMS: To test the reliability of a new vibrometer (Maxivibrometer) which was constructed so that vibration perception threshold (VPT) could be determined without the disadvantage of the off-scale measurements frequently experienced with the Biothesiometer. METHODS: The two devices were compared and tested on a group of diabetic neuropathic subjects and a group of healthy, matched control subjects. VPT was tested on the plantar surface of the feet. RESULTS: The Maxivibrometer gave an actual measurement in all cases even if subjects were severely neuropathic. The replication-to-replication and day-to-day intraclass correlation coefficients for the Maxivibrometer VPT were, except in one case, above 0.94, indicating excellent reliability. The Biothesiometer VPT could also be measured with excellent reliability but only within a limited range of mild to moderate neuropathy, so it appears to be an appropriate screening tool. The replication-to-replication intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.93. CONCLUSIONS: Because VPT could be measured over a wide range with the Maxivibrometer, it was demonstrated that loss of sensation in diabetic neuropathy can progress far beyond the maximum VPT value of the Biothesiometer. The wide measurement range and the excellent reliability make the Maxivibrometer a valuable research tool to quantify loss of sensation, particularly in the presence of severe neuropathy and to record changes over time. Diabet. Med. 18, 469-475 (2001)

Author information

Author/s: van Deursen, R W (RW); Sanchez, M M (MM); Derr, J A (JA); Becker, M B (MB); Ulbrecht, J S (JS); Cavanagh, P R (PR);

Affiliation: Center for Locomotion Studies and Statistical Consulting Center, 29 Recreation Building, Penn State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.

Grants: 1R01 AG09345 (Agency:NIA NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association (Diabet Med), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2001-Jun; vol 18 (issue 6) : pp 469-75

Dates: Created 2001/07/26; Completed 2001/10/11; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 11472466, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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