A comparison of vibrotactile thresholds obtained using different diagnostic equipment: The effect of contact conditions
A comparison of vibrotactile thresholds obtained using different diagnostic equipment: The effect of contact conditions
Objectives: Vibrotactile thresholds on the fingers were compared using two alternative methods of controlling contact with a vibrating probe: control of the force of contact with the probe (force control) and control of skin indentation produced by the probe (indentation control). Both systems had the same control of push force on a static surround around the vibrating probe.
Method: A group of 14 male subjects (aged 20-27 years) were tested at four frequencies (31.5, 63, 125, 250 Hz) in three separate sessions so as to quantify the repeatability of thresholds. Skin stiffness was also measured.
Results: Control of skin indentation gave more repeatable thresholds than control of probe force. There was a practice effect whereby thresholds became more consistent over sessions. There were no systematic correlations between thresholds and skin stiffness.
Conclusions: Repeatable and similar vibrotactile thresholds can be obtained with two alternative methods having different contact conditions. Either method may assist the diagnosis of disorders associated with hand-transmitted vibration, but control of skin indentation has the advantage of greater simplicity and, in this study, greater repeatability.
vibrotactile thresholds, normative data, hand-arm vibration syndrome
85-89
Whitehouse, D.J.
fd12e964-33eb-4120-a6bd-54ac907d90a7
Griffin, M.J.
24112494-9774-40cb-91b7-5b4afe3c41b8
January 2002
Whitehouse, D.J.
fd12e964-33eb-4120-a6bd-54ac907d90a7
Griffin, M.J.
24112494-9774-40cb-91b7-5b4afe3c41b8
Whitehouse, D.J. and Griffin, M.J.
(2002)
A comparison of vibrotactile thresholds obtained using different diagnostic equipment: The effect of contact conditions.
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 75 (1-2), .
(doi:10.1007/s004200100281).
Abstract
Objectives: Vibrotactile thresholds on the fingers were compared using two alternative methods of controlling contact with a vibrating probe: control of the force of contact with the probe (force control) and control of skin indentation produced by the probe (indentation control). Both systems had the same control of push force on a static surround around the vibrating probe.
Method: A group of 14 male subjects (aged 20-27 years) were tested at four frequencies (31.5, 63, 125, 250 Hz) in three separate sessions so as to quantify the repeatability of thresholds. Skin stiffness was also measured.
Results: Control of skin indentation gave more repeatable thresholds than control of probe force. There was a practice effect whereby thresholds became more consistent over sessions. There were no systematic correlations between thresholds and skin stiffness.
Conclusions: Repeatable and similar vibrotactile thresholds can be obtained with two alternative methods having different contact conditions. Either method may assist the diagnosis of disorders associated with hand-transmitted vibration, but control of skin indentation has the advantage of greater simplicity and, in this study, greater repeatability.
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Published date: January 2002
Keywords:
vibrotactile thresholds, normative data, hand-arm vibration syndrome
Organisations:
Human Sciences Group
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 58581
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/58581
ISSN: 0340-0131
PURE UUID: 551b5c2b-5204-4149-b054-10d77b577f79
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Date deposited: 15 Aug 2008
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 11:11
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Author:
D.J. Whitehouse
Author:
M.J. Griffin
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