The reliability of assessment of vibration sense.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the reliability of quantitative assessment of vibration sense with a Vibrameter type III.


METHODS
We examined 111 healthy subjects (21-69 years). For intraobserver reliability, short-term (15 min between measurements) (n=11) and 24-h (n=28) reliability was tested. For interobserver reliability, a second tester performed the second measurement 15 min after the initial test (n=39). We also assessed the independent impact of effects of age, gender and height on vibration thresholds.


RESULTS
In our study the intraobserver reliability is good [intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) ranging from 0.55 to 0.99], whereas the interobserver reliability is moderate (ICC ranging from 0.32 to 0.88). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age and--to a lesser extent--height was independently associated with the threshold values of the feet, but not with the thresholds of the hands.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a Vibrameter for measuring vibration thresholds in clinical practice and in multicentre studies is restricted because of the moderate interobserver reliability.
Peters
E W
EW
Department of Neurology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Bienfait
H M E
HM
de Visser
M
M
de Haan
R J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology; D014732:Vibration