OBJECTIVES: To assess the reliability of quantitative assessment of vibration sense with a Vibrameter type III. MATERIAL AND 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. CONCLUSION: The use of a Vibrameter for measuring vibration thresholds in clinical practice and in multicentre studies is restricted because of the moderate interobserver reliability.
OBJECTIVES: To assess the reliability of quantitative assessment of vibration sense with a Vibrameter type III. MATERIAL AND 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. CONCLUSION: The use of a Vibrameter for measuring vibration thresholds in clinical practice and in multicentre studies is restricted because of the moderate interobserver reliability.
Authors: Jan-Willem C Alffenaar; Richard van Altena; Ilse M Harmelink; Patricia Filguera; Esther Molenaar; A Mireille A Wessels; Dick van Soolingen; Jos G W Kosterink; Donald R A Uges; Tjip S van der Werf Journal: Clin Pharmacokinet Date: 2010-08 Impact factor: 6.447
Authors: K Kahnert; M Föhrenbach; T Lucke; P Alter; F T Trudzinski; R Bals; J I Lutter; H Timmermann; S Söhler; S Förderreuther; D Nowak; H Watz; B Waschki; J Behr; T Welte; C F Vogelmeier; R A Jörres Journal: Respir Res Date: 2020-01-20