Quantitative vibration threshold testing in carpal tunnel syndrome: analysis strategies for optimizing reliability

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Vibration sensation thresholds are affected early in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
• Traditional methods like tuning forks and electronic vibrometers have limitations in quantifying these thresholds.
• A novel computer-controlled vibrometer (PCV50) was developed to address these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a reliable testing procedure for a new computer-controlled vibrometer (PCV50).
• To assess the vibrometer's utility in quantifying vibration sensation thresholds in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-two patients with confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome underwent testing with the PCV50 at a fixed frequency of 50 Hz.
• Three trials were conducted on the third digit of each hand, followed by a retest session 40-60 minutes later.
• Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to evaluate different data analysis strategies for reliability.

Main Results:

• The most reliable testing strategy involved averaging the second and third trials and comparing this to the retest score.
• This strategy yielded high intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of 0.86 for the right hand and 0.89 for the left hand.
• The computer-controlled vibrometer demonstrated ease of administration, quantification, and patient comfort.

Conclusions:

• A reliable testing procedure was identified for the computer-controlled vibrometer.
• This validated procedure facilitates quantitative assessment of median nerve function.
• The PCV50 shows promise for early detection and accurate quantification of carpal tunnel syndrome impairments.