Abstract
AimsTo investigate practice effects in a test-retest situation, where vibration perception thresholds (VPT) were measured in healthy subjects using a multi-frequency test method.MethodsIn eight consecutive tests, VPTs were tested in the pulps of the index and little fingers at seven frequencies (8, 16, 32, 64, 125, 250 and 500 Hz). Subjects were twenty healthy adults aged 26 to 65 years (mean 46.0 ± 11.1 years; 10 male and 10 female). The subjects were examined at six tests with intervals of one month (mean 33 ± 6; time 0 to month 5) and at two additional tests with prolonged intervals (month 12 and 18). Linear mixed model analysis was performed to investigate differences over the subsequent test occasions. To examine where potential practice effects occurred, a pairwise comparison with Bonferroni correction was made.ResultsSmall decreases in VPTs were found in 8 out of the 14 frequencies (index finger: 8, 16, 32, 250 and 500 Hz; little finger: 16, 250 and 500 Hz) within the test period from time 0 to month 5. In tests at 12 and 18 months, VPTs were increased compared to month 5, but lowered in comparison with time 0. Hence, minor significant decreases were found in three frequencies for the index finger (125, 250 and 500 Hz) and one frequency for the little finger (250 Hz) when examining VPTs with prolonged time intervals.ConclusionsWhen evaluating vibration perception thresholds in a clinically relevant time period of once or twice a year, no consideration of practice effects is necessary when interpreting the results.
Highlights
The importance of proper functioning senses in hands cannot be underestimated as it is crucial for the highly complex motor tasks required in our everyday life
Minor significant decreases were found in three frequencies for the index finger (125, 250 and 500 Hz) and one frequency for the little finger (250 Hz) when examining vibration perception threshold (VPT) with prolonged time intervals
Several studies have investigated the normative values of the vibration perception threshold in healthy individuals [4,5,6,7], while others have studied VPTs in patients with diseases associated with neuropathy [5, 8,9,10,11,12]
Summary
The importance of proper functioning senses in hands cannot be underestimated as it is crucial for the highly complex motor tasks required in our everyday life. There are several methods available for testing vibrotactile perception and gold standard is the electrophysiological nerve conduction tests. Examination of the vibration perception threshold (VPT) is an alternative method where different equipment could be used, e.g. tuning fork (128 Hz), biothesiometer for single frequencies (50 or 100 Hz) or vibrametry at multiple frequencies. Several studies have investigated the normative values of the vibration perception threshold in healthy individuals [4,5,6,7], while others have studied VPTs in patients with diseases associated with neuropathy [5, 8,9,10,11,12]. Irrelevant of preferred methods, VPT testing is low-cost, fast and non-invasive compared with gold standard
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