Vibrotactile threshold measurement for detecting neurotoxicity: reliability and determination of age- and height-standardized normative values.
Damage to the peripheral nervous system by neurotoxic agents can result in elevated sensory thresholds. In this study, the results of two studies in a program of validation of vibrotactile threshold test performance are presented. First, the test-retest reliability and time efficiency of two methods for generating vibrotactile thresholds were determined in a sample of subjects known to be at risk for peripheral neuropathy, 22 diabetics. Specifically, a forced-choice method was compared to a method-of-limits procedure. The method of limits was found to be as reliable as the forced-choice procedure and required less time to administer. The second study was undertaken to determine the magnitude of major effect modifiers on vibrotactile thresholds. Vibration thresholds were determined using a method-of-limits procedure in 131 blue-collar workers who were 29-76 y of age. Equations relating vibrotactile threshold estimated by the method-of-limits procedure to age and height are presented for the upper and lower extremities.
Gerr
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F
Department of Community Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York.
Hershman
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D
Letz
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R
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects; D001835:Body Weight; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D014110:Touch; D014732:Vibration
D001194:Asbestos