title: Progress in vibrotactile threshold evaluation techniques: a review.
abstract: Vibrotactile threshold (VT) testing has been used for nearly a century to investigate activation of human somatosensory pathways. This use of vibrotactile stimuli provides a versatile tool for detecting peripheral neuropathies, and has been broadly used for investigation of carpal tunnel syndrome. New applications include investigation of drug-induced neuropathies and diabetes-related neuropathies. As a feedback device, the vibrotactile stimuli could be used as an information delivery system for rehabilitative feedback devices for upper limb musculoskeletal disorders or as information channels for the visually impaired. This review provides a comprehensive review of the advancement in VT measurement techniques over time and a comparison of these techniques in terms of various hardware features used and the testing protocols implemented. The advantages and limitations of these methods have been discussed along with specific recommendations for their implementation and suggestions for incorporation into clinical practice.
authors: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA.
authors: Minu Shikha
authors: MS
authors: Gandhi
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Sesek
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Tuckett
authors: Stacy J Morris
authors: SJ
authors: Bamberg
mesh_terms: D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis; D006225:Hand / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D008465:Mechanoreceptors; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011601:Psychophysics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D014110:Touch; D014732:Vibration