Biomechanics Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Biomechanics, including details on mechanics of living organisms, movement, locomotion, prosthetic limbs.

Tuning fork (128 Hz) versus neurothesiometer: a comparison of methods of assessing vibration sensation in patients with diabetes mellitus.

O'Neill J, McCann SM, Lagan KM

School of Health Sciences, Podiatry Department,School of Psychology, University of Ulster, N Ireland.

The current study compared the effectiveness of the graduated tuning fork (128 Hz) and the neurothesiometer in assessing vibration sensation perception in patients presenting with type II diabetes mellitus. A quota sample of patients (n = 21; age range 43-73 years) were assessed using the neurothesiometer and tuning fork by two investigators at five sites on both feet. There was a positive correlation between the results for the two methods of assessment for both investigators, and also between the results for both tools at three individual sites. Overall, there was 66.2% agreement between the results obtained from the two investigators using the tuning fork at each site; however, Kappa values only reached statistical significance at one site, indicating variability between the results from the two tools. This study suggests that assessment of vibration sensation with the tuning fork may be unreliable. These preliminary findings are based on a small sample size; thus further research is warranted.

Published 2 February 2006 in Int J Clin Pract, 60(2): 174-8.
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