Tuning fork (128 Hz) versus Neurothesiometer: a comparison of methods of assessing vibration sensation in patients with diabetes mellitus

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Abstract

The current study compared the effectiveness of the graduated tuning fork (128 Hz) and the neurothesiometer in assessing vibration sensation perception in patients presenting with type II diabetes mellitus. A quota sample of patients (n = 21; age range 43-73 years) were assessed using the neurothesiometer and tuning fork by two investigators at five sites on both feet. There was a positive correlation between the results for the two methods of assessment for both investigators, and also between the results for both tools at three individual sites. Overall, there was 66.2% agreement between the results obtained from the two investigators using the tuning fork at each site; however, Kappa values only reached statistical significance at one site, indicating variability between the results from the two tools. This study suggests that assessment of vibration sensation with the tuning fork may be unreliable. These preliminary findings are based on a small sample size; thus further research is warranted.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)174-178
Number of pages5
JournalINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE
Volume60
Issue number2
Early online date13 Dec 2005
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 1 Feb 2006

Keywords

  • Neurothesiometer
  • diabetes mellitus
  • tuning fork

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