Faculty Collaboration Database

Reliability of sensory threshold measurement using a digital vibrogram. J Occup Med 1990 Feb;32(2):100-2 PMID: 2406397

Pubmed ID

2406397

Abstract

Loss of vibratory sensation has been suggested as an early symptom in the diagnosis of compression neuropathies. The use of a digital vibrogram has recently been examined as a means of evaluating vibratory sensation thresholds over a range of frequencies from 8 to 500 Hz. Although this instrument does yield useful clinical information, little is known about the test-retest reliabilities of the thresholds obtained. To learn more about this, we assessed a total of 76 hands--32 normal and 44 with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome. The average sensory thresholds for onset and cessation of vibratory sensation were obtained. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were computed, and demonstrated improvement if an initial practice trial was administered. Our findings suggest that the vibrogram can be a reliable, clinical assessment when an initial practice trial is included as part of the standard administration.

Author List

Grunert BK, Wertsch JJ, Matloub HS, McCallum-Burke S

Authors

Brad K. Grunert PhD Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Hani S. Matloub MD Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

Scopus

2-s2.0-0025099380   42 Citations

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Clinical Trials as Topic
Equipment Design
Female
Hand
Humans
Male
Reproducibility of Results
Sensory Thresholds
Vibration