Vibration testing: A pilot study investigating the intra-tester reliability of the Vibrameter for the Median and Ulnar nerves

详细信息	查看全文 | 推荐本文 |

• 作者：Gill James^a ; ^{g.a.james@bham.ac.uk} ; Claire Scott^b
• 关键词：Intra-tester reliability ; Vibration threshold testing ; Vibrameter
• 刊名：Manual Therapy
• 出版年：2012
• 期刊代码：220_1356689X
• 类别：med
• 出版时间：August, 2012
• 卷：17
• 期：4
• 页码：369-372
• 文件大小：461 K

摘要

The measurement of vibration thresholds (VTs) is a sensitive test for identifying and monitoring neuropathies. Such a test needs established reliability. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the intra-tester reliability of VT measurements of the Median and Ulnar nerves in asymptomatic participants.

A double blinded repeated measures study was carried out. The VTs of the Median and Ulnar nerves were measured on two occasions with seven days between measurements. Participants were trained in identifying the sensation before commencing measurement. 22 participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited.

Intra-rater reliability was analysed used the intra-class correlation. The median nerve showed excellent reliability (ICC聽=聽.922; standard error of the mean聽=聽.0225聽渭m; 鈥榯rue鈥?SEM聽=聽.045聽渭m; smallest real difference聽=聽.062聽渭m). Ulnar nerve reliability was 鈥榮ubstantial鈥?(ICC聽=聽.632; standard error of the mean聽=聽.0225聽渭m; 鈥榯rue鈥?SEM聽=聽.055聽渭m; smallest real difference聽=聽.085聽渭m).

The VT measurements showed excellent to substantial reliability. The Vibrameter has the potential for excellent reliability providing manual therapists practice the technique of using it. It could usefully be considered by manual therapists to support their practice.