A pocket-sized disposable device for testing the integrity of sensation in the outpatient setting.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the Ipswich Touch Test and the VibraTip with the Neuropathy Disability Score and the vibration perception threshold for detecting the 'at-risk' foot.


METHODS
We directly compared the Ipswich Touch Test and the VibraTip with both the Neuropathy Disability Score ≥ 6 and the vibration perception threshold ≥ 25 V indicating 'at-risk' feet in 83 individuals.


RESULTS
The vibration perception threshold and Neuropathy Disability Score tests exhibited almost perfect agreement with each other (P < 0.001). The VibraTip and Ipswich Touch Test results were identical (P < 0.001). The VibraTip and Ipswich Touch Test results also exhibited almost perfect agreement with the vibration perception threshold (P < 0.001) and the Neuropathy Disability Score (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
These two simple and efficient tests are easy to teach, reliable and can be used in any setting, and neither requires an external power source. We conclude that both the VibraTip and the Ipswich Touch Test are reliable and sensitive tests for identifying the 'high-risk' foot.
University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. frank.bowling@manchester.ac.uk
F L
FL
Bowling
C A
CA
Abbott
W E
WE
Harris
S
S
Atanasov
R A
RA
Malik
A J M
AJ
Boulton
D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D014732:Vibration