Multicenter trial of the proficiency of smart quantitative sensation tests.
BACKGROUND
We assessed proficiency (accuracy and intra- and intertest reproducibility) of smart quantitative sensation tests (smart QSTs) in subjects without and with diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN).


METHODS
Technologists from 3 medical centers using different but identical QSTs independently assessed 6 modalities of sensation of the foot (or leg) twice in patients without (n = 6) and with (n = 6) DSPN using smart computer assisted QSTs.


RESULTS
Low rates of test abnormalities were observed in health and high rates in DSPN. Very high intraclass correlations were obtained between continuous measures of QSTs and neuropathy signs, symptoms, or nerve conductions (NCs). No significant intra- or intertest differences were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide proof of concept that smart QSTs provide accurate assessment of sensation loss without intra- or intertest differences useful for multicenter trials. Smart technology makes possible efficient testing of body surface area sensation loss in symmetric length-dependent sensorimotor polyneuropathies.
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota, USA, 55905.
Peter J
PJ
Dyck
Barbara
B
Argyros
James W
JW
Russell
Linde E
LE
Gahnstrom
Susan
S
Nalepa
James W
JW
Albers
Karen A
KA
Lodermeier
Andrew J
AJ
Zafft
P James B
PJ
Dyck
Christopher J
CJ
Klein
William J
WJ
Litchy
Jenny L
JL
Davies
Rickey E
RE
Carter
L Joseph
LJ
Melton
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D013697:Thermosensing; D014110:Touch
accuracy and reliability of nerve tests; diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy; intra- and intertest reproducibility; neurophysiology tests; smart quantitative sensation tests